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17. Miami Dolphins
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Offensive Tackle - This team cannot make the playoffs with Damion McIntosh playing left tackle. It just can't be done. A top-notch starter would do wonders.
Offensive Guard - Miami's shaky at both guard spots, and needs to bring in some young players to at least compete and provide depth.
Cornerback - Miami's corners have been routinely beat this season, and it's still unclear if they have anyone on the roster who can serviceably replace Sam Madison or Patrick Surtain.
Safety - Spent last year's first round pick on oft-injured Jason Allen, but could use more talent at the other safety spot (and to back-up Allen in 2007).
Outside Linebacker - Donnie Spragan is not a long-term solution.
Middle Linebacker - Zach Thomas has started to show his age, so Miami needs to find an eventual replacement.
Defensive Tackle - Keith Traylor and Vonnie Holiday are on the downside of their careers.
Kicker - Olindo Mare is old and average; Miami could be one of the few teams this year interested in taking a kicker in the middle rounds. |
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18. Minnesota Vikings
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Defensive End - Minnesota used a couple of recent first round picks on ends, but in 2006 their pass rush was utterly non-existant. Erasmus James is constantly injured (which, of course, we already knew about him when Minny drafted him) and Kenechi Udeze is a total stiff. Minny still needs a premier pass rusher to get consistent pressure on opposing QB's.
Wide Receiver - It's still too early to confirm that Troy Williamson is a bust - but we're getting there. I hated that pick when it was made, and Williamson has been exactly who I thought he was (sorry I think I channeled Denny Green there for a second). Williamson is horribly inconsistent, Travis Taylor is a #4 wide receiver at best, Marcus Robinson is old and marginal, and there's really nothing else on this roster. The Vikings desperately need a #1 receiver to take pressure off Williamson and allow him to settle into his role as a supporting player.
Quarterback - Minnesota unbelievably spent a 2nd round pick on Tarvaris Jackson last year, but he is a total long shot at best. Brad Johnson has been horrendous, and Brooks Bollinger is a marginal backup. The Vikings might not spend a high pick on a quarterback due to the Jackson selection - but they should at least consider it.
Outside Linebacker - Ben Leber is marginal at best. Even when Chad Greenway is healthy, Minnesota could still use another starting outside linebacker.
Tight End - Jermaine Wiggins has had a nice run, but Minnesota really needs someone who can stretch the field.
Safety - Dwight Smith has been alright and Darren Sharper is good, but a young talented player to groom into a future starter would be a nice addition.
Offensive Line - The Vikings' offensive line is solid, could use depth at all positions, and possibly a new right guard.
Defensive Tackle - Kevin and Pat Williams are a nice duo, but the latter is a bit injury prone and there's nobody behind him on the depth chart. |
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19. New England Patriots
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Wide Receiver - Chad Jackson is their long-term #1, but nobody else on the roster should figure significantly in the Pats' plans past 2007. The receiver position has killed the Pats' offense this year, and more talent is desperately needed.
Safety - Rodney Harrison is all but done, and this defense really needs an impact safety to function effectively.
Linebacker - McGinest is gone, Bruschi's old, Vrabel's old, Seau's ancient...think New England needs some youth? Expect the Pats to bring in at least two linebackers via the draft.
Cornerback - The Pats need to find someone to pair with Asante Samuel in 2007.
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20. New Orleans Saints
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Cornerback - The Mike McKenzie/Fred Thomas duo is average at best, and after that it gets ugly. A talented corner needs to be brought in.
Linebacker - New Orleans doesn't have a playmaker at any of its three linebacker positions. A quick player who can cover ground would be a great fit.
Defensive Tackle - The team could use a pass rusher to provide a push up the middle.
Tight End - The Saints' passing game is great, but can get in trouble when opposing defenses shut down the big play. A pass-catching tight end would add yet another dimension to this offense.
Safety - Daniel Bullocks looks like he can start, but the other safety spot is up-in-the-air. |
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21. New York Giants
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Defensive Tackle - Barry Cofield is a stopgap player and not a long-term answer. Fred Robbins might not be either.
Cornerback - Sam Madison is old and injury prone, and after him there are a lot of question marks in the Giants' defensive backfield.
Safety - An impact safety would be a nice addition - neither Will Demps or Gibril Wilson are special players.
Wide Receiver - Plaxico Burress is disgruntled, and though Sinorice Moss might be a nice #3 receiver, another starter is needed.
Running Back - With Tiki Barber retiring, Brandon Jacobs figures to take over. However, adding a back to complement him should be a priority, as there's some question whether he can be effective on an every-down basis.
Outside Linebacker - The Giants can never seem to stay healthy at the outside linebacker position, so might as well add some young depth to help when guys get hurt. |
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22. New York Jets
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Running Back - Leon Washington, Kevan Barlow, and Cedric Houston have all shown flashes this year - but that just underscores the Jets' need for a true #1 back. Washington would be a nice complement to a strong, solid runner (in the Deuce McAllister mold, for example).
Defensive End - Jonathan Abraham's pass rush hasn't been adequately replaced, and a third-down pass rusher would be a big addition.
Defensive Tackle - New York could use a big run-stuffing tackle to complement DeWayne Robertson.
Offensive Guard - The duo the Jets have now has been alright, but a powerful run blocker would help open holes for whoever's in the backfield in 2007.
Offensive Tackle - D'Brick is installed at left tackle, but the other side of the line could be shored up.
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23. Oakland Raiders
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Quarterback - By now, it should be blatantly clear that neither Aaron Brooks nor Andrew Walter is this team's quarterback of the future. A big-time prospect needs to be brought in, as well as a veteran to help groom him.
Offensive Tackle - Robert Gallery's career has been an unmitigated disaster thus far, and Langston Walker gets routinely beaten on the other side. Talented players - young or old - need to be brought in.
Running Back - LaMont Jordan's ineffectiveness might have been due to the offensive line, but it couldn't hurt to bring in another back to compete with him in 2007.
Wide Receiver - Randy Moss and Jerry Porter have totally given up hope. Unfortunately, Oakland doesn't have a whole lot to work with if you take them away.
Tight End - This offense would really benefit from a consistent, pass-catching tight end.
Defensive End - Derrick Burgess is a great pass rusher, but Oakland has no complement on the other side.
Defensive Tackle - Warren Sapp has enjoyed a resurgence, but he's old and doesn't have a quality player alongside him.
Outside Linebacker - Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard will be fixtures for years to come, but the third linebacker is still a question.
Offensive Guard - Kevin Boothe has gotten plenty of playing time, but we don't know if he's a quality starter yet. Oakland could use more depth on the interior line. |
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24. Philadelphia Eagles
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Safety - Brian Dawkins isn't getting any younger, and it's unclear whether Sean Considine is really the answer at the other safety spot.
Defensive End - Kearse is constantly injured, and Darren Howard has been inconsistent. A pass rush specialist to complement Trent Cole would fit.
Outside Linebacker - Dhani Jones is a non-impact player, and someone with more ability would help this defense.
Offensive Tackle - Could use a little depth with Runyan and Thomas near the end of their careers.
Cornerback - Philly needs to add depth behind Shepherd and Brown.
Running Back - Correll Buckhalter is average at best. Philly would benefit from finding a better runner to pair with Brian Westbrook. |
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25. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Outside Linebacker - Pittsburgh's pass rush hasn't been nearly as ferocious as it was in recent years. A situational pass rusher from the linebacker position would be a perfect fit into this 3-4 defense.
Safety - Chris Hope was not adequately replaced last off-season, and Pittsburgh will likely try again this time around.
Cornerback - Ike Taylor was torched throughout 2006. Pittsburgh needs to bring in more talent to compete for starting jobs.
Defensive End - Kimo Van Olhouffen was not adequately replaced last off-season, and Pittsburgh will likely try again this time around (sound familiar?).
Running Back - Willie Parker established himself as a top back, but Pittsburgh still misses the short-yardage running of The Bus.
Interior Offensive Line - Depth in the interior line has become an issue for the Steelers.
Wide Receiver - Ward, Washington, and Holmes look like a pretty good receiving corps for the future, but one more talented guy would help cover for injuries.
Quarterback - Not that Big Ben needs to be replaced, but a quality backup with talent could at least push him to play better. |
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26. San Diego Chargers
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Safety - Terrence Kiel is simply not a good player. A playmaker at strong safety is the final thing this defense needs to become elite.
Inside Linebacker - Donnie Edwards will likely be gone this off-season, and Randall Godfrey is near the end of his career. A speedy middle linebacker would be a nice addition to the rotation.
Interior Offensive Line - Depth in the middle of the offensive line is currently lacking.
Wide Receiver - San Diego currently has a solid corps group, but could use a speedy player to stretch the field.
Defensive Tackle - Jamal Williams is the best in the business, but the Chargers have no big guy behind him. |
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27. San Francisco 49ers
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Cornerback - When Sammy Davis is your nickelback, you know you're in trouble. The Niners need a ton of help at the cornerback position.
Safety - San Fran has zero impact players at the safety position. Could really use two starters this off-season - but desperately needs at least one.
Defensive Tackle - San Fran alternates between a 3/4 and a 4/3, but a big talented nose tackle would help with both.
Defensive End - The Niners need to add more talent at the defensive end position to generate some kind of pass rush.
Middle Linebacker - Derek Smith has become a non-impact player, and the team desperately needs someone to make an impact from the middle.
Wide Receiver - Antonio Bryant is nearly more trouble than he's worth, and Arnaz Battle isn't really a quality starter.
Offensive Line - Depth at all positions is an issue, especially with Larry Allen starting at one guard spot. |
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28. Seattle Seahawks
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Offensive Guard - The loss of Steve Hutchinson has killed Seattle's running game. Finding an adequate replacement should top their off-season shopping list.
Defensive End - Grant Wistrom is nearing the end of his career, and Bryce Fisher is a non-impact player. A young pass rusher is desperately needed.
Offensive Tackle - The right tackle position has been an area of concern all year for Seattle.
Safety - Finding a strong safety has proven elusive, with once-promising Michael Boulware now on the bench. |
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29. St. Louis Rams
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Outside Linebacker - Brandon Chillar is not really what you're looking for in a starter. A solid linebacker (preferably a veteran) would be a nice addition.
Defensive End - Leonard Little is well into his 30's, and the Rams don't really have anybody on the other side.
Cornerback - Tye Hill will be a fine player, but Fakhir Brown as the team's #2 corner? Ouch.
Defensive Tackle - La'Roi Glover is still a good player, but a replacement needs to be found. Former 1st rounder Jimmy Kennedy is nothing special.
Interior Offensive Line - Adam Timmerman is getting up there in age, and center Richie Incognito is questionable. St. Louis needs to bring in at least one starter and some depth.
Offensive Tackle - The lack of depth behind Orlando Pace destroyed the Rams' playoffs hopes in 2006.
Wide Receiver - Isaac Bruce hit the wall in 2006, and after Torry Holt this team's receiving corps is questionable.
Safety - Corey Chavous isn't the long-term answer. |
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30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Outside Linebacker - Derrick Brooks is finally showing signs of slowing down, and Tampa has no other quality outside linebackers to speak of.
Defensive End - Simeon Rice appears to be done, and losing his pass rush crippled the Bucs' defense in 2006. Finding a speed rusher is a pressing need.
Defensive Tackle - Chris Hovan is fairly solid, but would be more effective if paired with an athletic rusher on the inside.
Quarterback - Bruce Gradkowski as the long-term answer? That has to scare Bucs fans. The team needs to spend a first-day pick to bring in another QB to compete.
Cornerback - Ronde Barber is wearing down, and all the other Bucs corners are highly questionable.
Offensive Tackle - Depth is seriously needed at both tackle positions.
Middle Linebacker - Shelton Quarles is in his mid-30's, and Barret Ruud doesn't have any special athletic ability.
Interior Offensive Line - Likewise, depth is seriously needed at guard. John Wade isn't getting any younger at center either.
Wide Receiver - Joey Galloway is aging and it's unclear if Michael Clayton will develop.
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31. Tennessee Titans
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Wide Receiver - Vince Young also needs somebody to throw to. Drew Bennett doesn't cut it as a #1 guy, and the team's depth chart just goes downhill after that.
Offensive Tackle - Vince Young is a transcendent talent, but Tennessee needs to protect him by replacing one or both of their starters at offensive tackle.
Offensive Guard - Again, one or both starters could be replaced.
Defensive Tackle - Head-case Albert Haynesworth probably doesn't figure into the team's long-term plans. Even with him, the D-line is awfully shaky.
Middle Linebacker - Peter Sirmon is average-at-best. Putting a good player between Bullock and Thornton would really shore up this defense.
Safety - Chris Hope has established himself, but it's unclear who he'll be paired with in 2007.
Cornerback - It looks like Pacman Jones is coming around, but depth is still needed.
Defensive End - A pass-rusher to complement Kyle Vanden Bosch would be a nice addition. |
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32. Washington Redskins
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Cornerback - After Carlos Rogers, Washington doesn't appear to have a single corner that figures in their long-term plans.
Defensive End - Tried to fill this need last year with Andre Carter, but it hasn't worked out. Washington desperately needs a pass rusher.
Offensive Line - Youth and depth is needed.
Middle Linebacker - Lemar Marshall is a non-impact player with no upside.
Safety - Troy Vincent is done, and a pass-covering complement to Sean Taylor must be found. |
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