TEAM NEEDS

Just a reminder that the NFL will be moving to an eight division format next
season with the arrival of the Dallas Texans.


NFC EAST
Washington Redskins - QB, OL, WR, DL Obviously they need a quarterback, but Harrington and Carr will be gone by the time they make their first pick in the draft, and since there are no other quarterbacks worthy of being taken in the first round, the Redskins will have to look elsewhere. One would think the Redskins would go with either an offensive lineman or defensive lineman with their first pick seeing how both of their guards are free agents, and they have a pretty old defensive line (Bruce Smith, Marco Coleman), but this is Steve Spurrier's team now and offensive weapons are the staple of Steve Spurrier teams, so you might actually see the Redskins take a wide receiver with their first pick for the second consecutive year.

New York Giants - OL, LB, WR The Giants desperately need help along the offensive line and there is no way they should look anywhere else with their first pick. The Giants could also use a playmaker at wide receiver. Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard have had ample opportunities to prove they can be top of the line wide receivers and they haven't. If the Giants don't go offensive line with their first pick (which they should), they might take a wide receiver instead. The Giants will probably take a wide receiver sometime on the first day of the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles - DL, LB, OL, WR The Eagles biggest need is for their young receivers to step up next year. And, if they do, the Eagles will be a Super Bowl contender again. Outside of that, they could use some help along the defensive line and maybe an outside linebacker. Also, look for them to add some depth along the offensive line. Whoever they take in the first round won't have much pressure to produce right of way, which will allow him time to develop.

Dallas Cowboys - DB, LB, DL, QB, WR What they really need is for their receivers to stay healthy and for someone to throw them the ball. But, Jerry Jones won't take a quarterback because he has to prove Quincy Carter was worthy of being a second round pick when he was projected as a late fourth, early fifth round selection. If they don't select a quarterback, which they won't, look for them to improve the defense, which was surprisingly strong last season.

NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints - WR, DB, DL Joe Horn can't do it all himself. Albert Connell was brought in and left with the cash (not only the team's but his teammates as well). So, the Saints have to think wide receiver with their first pick. Last year they might have made the worst first round decision by taking Deuce McAllister with their first pick. Unless they trade Ricky Williams this offseason that was a waste of a pick, and who knows they might waste their first round draft pick again. But, they should be a little smarter after last season and take a wide receiver with the first pick. At very least, they should take a defensive back with their top selection because they could use some help at that position as well.

Atlanta Falcons - WR, RB, DB, DL Wide Receiver is by far the most pressing need for the Falcons. Jamal Anderson's playing days in Atlanta might be numbered meaning they Falcons might need a running back as well. Their offense is what kept them from sneaking up on everyone and snagging the final playoff spot last season. They could also use a cornerback and some help at defensive line and will probably address those needs in the second through fourth rounds.

Carolina Panthers - DL, WR, DB, RB, QB They set a record losing fifteen straight games and they don't even get the first pick in the draft. That really stinks for them. Luckily enough, they will still probably get their guy Julius Peppers. The Panthers defensive front seven was pitiful last year. Even more pitiful than the rest of the team. And with the Texans probably deciding between Joey Harrington and David Carr, it looks like the Panthers won't have to worry about losing out on Peppers. After that though, they are still going to need more help. Look for a wide receiver to be selected by the Panthers in either the second or third round. And, they might even try to snag a running back in the middle of the draft. No one really stepped up this year and carried the load for the Panthers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB, OL, DL, TE Do they really need a quarterback??? We don't know. What I do know is the offense underachieved again and it certainly wasn't the fault of the running backs or wide receivers. Shaun King couldn't have done any worse than Brad Johnson did, which is why King should get the opportunity to start next season. They won't be taking a quarterback, that is for sure. They could use some help along the offensive line because a couple of their lineman are past their prime. They could use some depth along the defensive line, and possibly a tight end, depending on the new offensive coordiantor.

NFC NORTH
Minnesota Vikings - DL, LB, WR, DB All the Vikings really need is a healthy Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss to shut up and play hard every day, but we all know Moss won't do that. Outside of that, they could use more help on defense. The Vikings defense was still pretty weak last season and help would be welcomed to the stuggling unit.

Green Bay Packers - WR, DL, LB If Schroeder goes, the Packers will definitely need another wide receiver to compliment Antonio Freeman. If Schroeder stays, they still need another wide receiver to compliment the pair. The could also use to shore up their run defense with maybe a defensive tackle or a linebacker. Look for the Packers to select a wide receiver with their first or second pick.

Chicago Bears - DL, DB, QB, TE Some say the most pressing need is a quarterback. We don't think so. While their defense was great last season, they might be best suited to pick up another solid defensive back in the draft. Tight end might be another possibility for the Bears. When healthy, they have a solid wide receiver corp and a top receiving tight end could open up the offense, especially with the emergence of Anthony Thomas as a top notch running back.

Detroit Lions - DL, DB, RB, QB They were bad this past season, very bad. They could use help in most aspects of the game. The position they need the help out the most in running back. James Stewart obviously isn't the answer. If Germane Crowell leaves, they will need help at wide receiver as well. They also need help along the defensive front, and at the cornerback position. Look for the Lions to take either a defensive lineman or defensive back in the first round of the draft.

NFC WEST
St. Louis Rams - TE, OL, LB Do the Rams really need anything. In last year's draft they made all the right picks to improve a weak defense and now they don't really need a starter at any position. Thus, they will be drafting for depth this year. Another offensive threat in the form of a tight end couldn't hurt. They might also look to add depth along the offensive line. It was pointed out in an e-mail we received that the Rams need some help at linebacker as well because London Fletcher might leave via free agency. If the Rams lose Fletcher they certainly will lose the heart of their linebacking corp and will need to find a replacement. So, linebacker is a possiblity for the Rams, who did very well taking Tommy Polley last year to play outside linebacker.

San Francisco 49ers - DB, LB, OL The 49ers were very much a surprise last season. They still have some holes to fill before being a legitimate Super Bowl contender though. They could use some help in the secondary and along the offensive line. Also, look for the Niners to pick up a linebacker to add depth at the position.

Arizona Cardinals - DL, DB, LB The Cardinals have a pretty bad defense. They need some serious help on defense. They need help everywhere on defense. The Cardinals will either take a defensive lineman or a defensive back with their first pick and either a defensive lineman or a defensive back with their second pick as well.

Seattle Seahawks - DB, TE, DL, LB Seattle has a great running game, and a decent passing game if Holmgren will ever stick with Dilfer. What they need is help on the defensive side of the ball, after focusing on offense last year. Look for the Seahawks to take a defensive back or defensive lineman with their first pick, and continue to focus on the defensive side of the ball early in the draft. Mike Holmgren has always had a good tight end on his team, and he might look for one here with the great depth at that position in the draft.

AFC EAST
New York Jets - QB, DB, LB, DL I think it is time for Vinny to leave. And, thus Chad Pennington will assume the starters role. So, saying they need a quarterback doesn't really mean they have any intention selecting one in this year's draft. Moving on from there, they could use some help on the defensive side of the ball. They have shown they aren't that happy with their cornerbacks by leaving them unprotected in the expansion draft. They might also think about taking a defensive lineman early in the draft.

New England Patriots - WR, DL, LB The Patriots overachieved last year, or did they? They have a decent defense and we could have told you going into the season Troy Brown was going to have a stellar season. He was due, all you had to do was look at his numbers to know he would break through this season. The two overachievers were Antowain Smith who was left for dead by the Bills, and Tom Brady. Brady was solid in college, but really stepped up this season, which could lead to more draft picks for the Patriots should they decide to trade Brady or Bledsoe. The Patriots could use a wide receiver to compliment Brown, and some help along the defensive line and maybe another linebacker.

Miami Dolphins - DL, WR, OL, RB The Dolphins could use help at a variety of positions, including running back and wide receiver. Chris Chambers really stepped up in his rookie season, but they could use another wide receiver. Lamar Smith is looking like a one year wonder, so running back might be an option with the first pick. The Dolphins could use some help along both sides of the lines as well.

Buffalo Bills - QB, DL, OL, LB Look for the Bills to either take Harrington or Carr with their frist pick. One of them should still be on the draft board at the number four spot and the Bills desperately need a running back. Rob Johnson was a $25 million mistake and it is time the Bills correct that mistake. The Bills also need help along both sides of the line and at linebacker. They have some good young receivers, a running back who had a decent rookie season, and a pair of strong young cornerbacks. The building blocks are in place for the Bills to start climbing up the ladder in the AFC East, but they need a quarterback before getting back into the playoff picture.

AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans - Everywhere They are an expansion team, so right now they need help everywhere. We will update their needs as they sign their first free agents and after the expansion draft. Even after the expansion draft they will probably need help at most positions, except maybe running back if they take someone like Jamal Anderson. Look for the Texans to hold off on signing a quarterback though, so they can take Joey Harrington or David Carr with the first pick in the draft.

Indianapolis Colts - DL, LB, DB We think everyone knows what the Colts need, especially now that they have Tony Dungy at the helm. Of course the answer to what the Colts need is defensive help, and lots of it, which makes it tough to know what direction they will go in in the first and second rounds of the draft. We'll go out on a limb and say either a cornerback or defensive lineman will be selected by the Colts in the first round.

Tennessee Titans - WR, DB, LB, OL The Titans showed a serious lack of wide receivers this season and they'll go after a wide receiver with one of their first two picks in the draft. The Titans could also use some help in the secondary and along the offensive line. Eddie George had a below average season, and part of that reason is lack of protection along the offensive line.

Jacksonville Jaguars - RB, DB, LB It is looking more and more like Fred Taylor can't stay healthy for an entire season, which means the Jaguars have to start seriously considering finding someone who can stay healthy all season. Beside a need for a running back, the Jags could certainly use some help at the linebacker positoin and in the secondary. Their defense was not last season as in previous season. Some might say the Jags need another wide receiver, but Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell are still one of the best tandems in the league.

AFC NORTH
Cleveland Browns - DL, RB, LB, WR The Browns need some help on defense. James Jackson was mediocre as a rookie, so the Browns might even look to take a running back in the draft again this season. They could use a number one wide receiver for Tim Couch to throw the ball to. While they had a surprisingly good season, last season, there are certainly a few needs the Browns need to address whether through the draft or free agency.

Pittsburgh Steelers - TE, DB, LB The Steelers were great last season and one step shy of the Super Bowl. Somehow their defense is always great, no matter who they lose through free agency. Look for the Steelers to add more depth on the defensive side of the ball, because they are bound to lose a starter through free agency. Also, look for the Steelers to select a solid pass receiving tight end or another wide receiver in the second or third round to give Kordell Stewart more options.

Cincinnati Bengals - QB, OL, DB They have gone through more starting quarterbacks the past three years than any team in the league, including the Cowboys. Too bad for them their won't be a potential starting quarterback around when they make their first selection in the draft. Outside of quarterback, they could use some help to protect their rotating quarterbacks. They also could use some help in the secondary because of a suspect pass defense last season.

Baltimore Ravens - OL, QB, DL The Ravens showed how much a good running attack can mean to a team. But while the running game sputtered so did the passing game and that is the fault of the arrogant coach and the inconsistent quarterback. Billick thought the team could use a better quarterback than Trent Dilfer and went out and got Elvis Grbac who had never really led the Chiefs anywhere. But enough with the mistake they made at quarterback this season, what the Ravens will need in this draft is a defensive tackle to replace Tony Siragusa and some help on the interior of the offensive line.

AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs - DL, WR, OL, LB They stunk against the run last year and they will have to take care of that problem. Defensive line is a serious problem for Dick Vermeil and it will be corrected with their first round draft pick. They also don't have much going on for them in the passing game. Derrick Alexander might be on his way out, and if he is, they will certainly need a wide receiver.

Oakland Raiders - DL, LB They have a great offense, but they are awful against the run. Look for the Raiders to grab a big defensive lineman in the first round. They will mostly focus on the defense early in the draft, as they have a great offense. But, that offense is aging, so look for some mid-round picks used on some young offensive talent.

San Diego Chargers - DB, OL, WR They looked as though they were going to have a great season early on, but they faltered big time. They have a lot of good young players in place already, but they will need to add a top defensive back and a top offensive lineman to improve on last year.

Denver Broncos - WR, WR, DB, OL How much did losing Ed McCaffrey hurt the Broncos this year? The Broncos are in serious need of a wide receiver, especially one that can stay healthy. With a lot of solid receivers out there, they shouldn't have a problem getting someone who can step in right of way and make an impact. They could very well use their top two choices on wide receivers. After that, they could use to shore up their secondary and add some depth at offensive line.



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