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ARIZONA - With Emmitt Smith retired and a comeback by Marcel Shipp questionable, the Cards are between a rock and a hard place at this position. Drafting #8, it appears the team would have to trade up to have a chance at Cedric Benson, Cadillac Williams, or Ronnie Brown � it is a big gap to #4 on that list. Also attempts at trading for a veteran such as Travis Henry have also fizzled. Arizona may have to settle on the second-tier prospects in Rounds 2-4. Offensive line and cornerback are also need areas.
ATLANTA � Team is looking for additional receiving help, and is trying to address that through free agency. Linebacking corps (although they did acquire Ike Reese) along with a quickly aging defensive front are among the Falcons needs, along with lineman to fix line coach's Alex Gibbs system.
BALTIMORE � Already addressed the need areas of cornerback and wide receiver by signing Derrick Mason and Samari Rolle, but additional help is needed. Team is also looking at going back to a 4-3 alignment, so there is also need for outside backers.
BUFFALO � Offensive line, offensive line, and offensive line � especially in regards to breaking in a rookie QB who is already coming off an injury. There are also injury concerns involving both Bills tight ends in 2004, that is another need area.
CAROLINA - The Panthers signed Adam Meadows in free agency last year, but he abruptly retired, leaving the team needing an offensive tackles. Look for them to address that need in Rounds 2 or 3. With Mushin Muhammad gone, the team needs Steve Smith at 100 percent and for Keary Colbert to develop in year two, along perhaps with some depth in this draft. Top DT Kris Jenkins should be back after missing most of last year, but an insurance policy would also be a good idea.
CHICAGO � Despite the recent signing of Mushin Muhammad, help at the skill positions are still badly needed. The team is not entirely sold on Thomas Jones, so one of the top three backs may be a possibility with the #4 overall pick. Braylon Edwards in considered the best overall player on many draft boards, but will the Bears go after another Michigan receiver after getting burned with David Terrell. The team is also looking desperately for a reliable veteran QB in case Rex Grossman goes down again or is ineffective.
CINCINNATI � The front four struggled mightily last year, both in stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. Look for the first round pick to be used somewhere along the defensive line, whether it be a DE or DT. Offensive line as well as tight end are also needs.
CLEVELAND � Despite William Green and Lee Suggs being in the fold, none are the breakaway threat that Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown, or Cadillac Williams could be - the Browns will be tempted to take one of them with the #3 overall pick. The Browns found a nice stopgap at QB by acquiring Trent Dilfer, but it�s not too early to look at his potential replacement. That said, look for new coach Romeo Crennel to focus on defense, especially the line (Courtney Brown was recently allowed to walk) along with the linebacking corps.
DALLAS � The Cowboys are considering changing from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment, with that in mind the team will be looking for defensive ends as well as linebackers. Offensive tackle is a huge need area, but unless Alex Barron is still on the board there doesn�t figure to be much help on the board at pick #20. Wide receiver could very well end up being the pick in that round. And then there�s quarterback � Drew Bledsoe is a mere stopgap while early indications are that Drew Henson will be every bit the bust with the Cowboys that he was with the Yankees.
DENVER � After getting torched in each of the last two years with the Colts in the playoffs, the secondary figures to be one need area, although the defensive line is an even more pressing need. The Broncos are set with bookend tackles, but could use a guard or two to help revamp that perennially strong unit.
DETROIT � After focusing on skill positions in the past couple of drafts, the Lions dived heavily into the free agent market grabbing S Kenoy Kennedy as well as veteran TE Marcus Pollard. That leaves the linebacking corps, along with the offensive line and a possible #2/#3 receiver as needs. Jeff Garcia has also been signed to backup Joey Harrington, but the team may also look for another QB in the draft in case Harrington proves to be a bust once and for all.
GREEN BAY � The need list for the Packers got much longer after taking massive hits in free agency, including losing both guards along with safety Darren Sharper. Still defensive line remains the biggest need, along with the sudden need of revamping the O-line along with additional defensive help. And of course no Green Bay draft need list would be complete without discussing a potential replacement for a certain QB. If the team elects to go that route I imagine it will be in Rounds 2-3. After botching recent drafts the Pack must make sure to bring in plenty of bodies this time around.
HOUSTON � The Texans whiffed on trying to bring in All-Pro Orlando Pace, so now Alex Barron may be a potential pick at #13. Additional help at cornerback as well as a good #2 receiver are the other needs, along with a pass-rushing linebacker.
INDIANAPOLIS � Defense, defense, and more defense, that should go without saying. Outside of pass-rusher Dwight Freeney no job should be safe on the defensive side of the ball. Edgerrin James has agreed to the franchise tender, so the Colts are fine are offense with the exception of possibly replacing guard Rick DeMulling.
JACKSONVILLE � Despite already being a defensive oriented team, the Jags could still use help on that side of the ball, especially with controversial safety Donovin Darius now wanting out. Linebacker and cornerback are other needs, along with offensive line help.
KANSAS CITY � If the Chiefs just took the best defensive player on the board in all seven rounds it wouldn�t be a bad idea. The only possible exception would be looking for a potential replacement for QB Trent Green, but I wouldn�t even consider that crucial.
MIAMI � Edgerrin James and Travis Henry will apparently not be coming to South Florida, so Ronnie Brown has an excellent chance at being the #2 overall pick. A.J. Feeley also doesn�t figure to be a long term solution in quarterback. Offensive line and wide receiver aren�t exactly great shakes either. On defense, replacing safety Sammy Knight is probably the top priority.
MINNESOTA - Failing in their attempt to land Plaxico Burress, it is a good bet that the Vikings will now use the #7 overall pick obtained in the Randy Moss trade to attain Moss's replacement, most likely Mike Williams. Team addressed some of their defensive needs by acquiring CB Fred Smoot and S Darren Sharper in free agency, along with LB Napolean Harris in the Moss trade. That leaves acquiring an interior defensive lineman as one of the bigger draft day needs.
NEW ENGLAND � Suddenly, the three-time Super Bowl champions have some chinks in their armor and have needs to address. With Tedy Bruschi found to possibly have a hole in his heart, the Pats are going to have to address the inside linebacker position as if their inspirational leader will not be back. Even as it is Buschi, Ted Johnson, and Roman Phifer will be 32, 32, and 37 respectively. Other losses include CB Ty Law, WR David Patten, and guard Joe Andruzzi. The Patriots have been masters at filling these kind of holes in the middle to late rounds of recent drafts, and this year will be yet another test for the scouting department.
NEW ORLEANS � Another team that needs help all over the defensive side of the ball. The Saints failed to bring in any help in free agency, so they can�t blow this draft like they have done the last few years. Tackles at both ends of the O-line also would not hurt.
NY GIANTS - Even after signing Plaxico Burress, the Giants could still use more targets for young QB Eli Manning. Also the Giants have pass rush troubles aside from Michael Strahan, who is getting up there in years. The secondary is a need area as well in addition to a running back who could take over for Tiki Barber 2-3 years down the road.
NY JETS - Weakened in the defensive line due to the loss of DT Jason Ferguson, DE John Abraham was slapped with the franchise tag, possibly leading to a lengthy holdout/possible trade. Offensive line as well as the secondary are other need areas. If the team loses backup RB Lamont Jordan, there will be a need there as well. Also the team may be looking for a kicker after last year's playoff debacle.
OAKLAND - Was initially thought to covet a running back with the #7 overall pick, but instead opted to trade for Randy Moss instead, he and Jerry Porter now become the starters. Defensive line is an even bigger need than the backfield, since the team got no pass rush whatsoever last year.
PHILADELPHIA - Has done a great job managing the salary cap in recent years. Losing backup linebacker/special teams ace Ike Reese is a blow, but the team should be fine defensively. There are a few openings on offense however. Brian Westbrook is not an every down back, the team could use a compliment there. Also TE Chad Lewis is expected to retire, especially considering the team utilizes a lot of two-TE sets the Eagles could very well look at someone to go along with new starter L.J. Smith.
PITTSBURGH - The Steelers lost two offensive lineman along with LB Kendrell Bell and WR Plexico Burress, so those will be areas to address - along with finding a RB who could eventually replace Duce Staley.
ST LOUIS - The Rams could very well lose both defensive ends. Bryce Fisher has already left via free agency to division rival Seattle while Leonard Little will at the very least be facing suspension from the league after his DUI trial, and could well land behind bars since he's a repeat offender. Team is also said to be looking at an offensive tackle at the combine.
SAN DIEGO - The Chargers were near the bottom of the league in recording quarterback sacks, and got only four from the defensive end positions. 2004 2nd round pick Igor Olshansky is a great run defender but pass rushers are needed. At wide receiver Eric Parker has developed nicely and veteran Keenan McCardell was a nice pick-up, but additional weapons for whoever quarterbacks SD in the future would also be nice. Free safety a need area as well.
SAN FRANCISCO - Actually there are needs everywhere with the Niners, but everything right now revolves under center. Long-term Tim Rattay is not the answer. The question now is whether the organization will deem either Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith as an overall #1 pick. Conceivably, the team could trade down and still get one of the two, who both held impressive on-campus workouts. Receivers, a running back, and defensive players to fit into new HC Mike Nolan's 3-4 scheme will also be areas to look at.
SEATTLE - The team picked up DE Bryce Fisher in free agency but lost Chike Okeafor, so there is still a need at that position as well as the entire offensive line. Potentially revamping the wide receiver corps and a running back as an insurance policy in case of a protracted Shaun Alexander holdout are needs as well. In a welcome switch, OT Walter Jones did finally get inked to a long-term contract.
TAMPA BAY - Michael Pittman isn't thought of as a workhorse back, so it's safe to say that the Bucs will spend their #5 overall pick on a running back. Ronnie Brown is likely to be gone, so look for Cadillac Williams to be selected over Cedric Benson. The team also desperately needs offensive line help and a top tight end wouldn't hurt neither. Michael Clayton was a great pick last year, and a top-speed deep threat to compliment him wouldn't be a bad idea.
TENNESSEE - The Titans have had a horrible off-season, not only did the team get hit hard by salary-cap casualties, but there were also arrests involving three players in the space of a month. One of those involved CB Samari Rolle, who soon left for free agency. Replacing Rolle as well as WR Derrick Mason will be needs, although Tyrone Calico will fill a receiver slot if he can return from injury. OLT Brad Hopkins was also involed in one of the off-field scrapes, and he is headed into his 13th season and outside of Alex Barron this is not a good year for players in that position.
WASHINGTON - The Redskins have only traded one of their top three picks thus far, which is pretty good for them. Revamping the receiving corps is a top need, along with the offensive line. Top corner Fred Smoot is gone, so the skins have to look for secondary help for the first time in a while, along with a pass rushing defensive end.