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2010 Team Needs
Prior to
free agency and the draft
By Jay Goldberg
AFC
NORTH
BAL
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Flacco his growing into a
solid starting NFL quarterback. Troy Smith backs up and is
okay for now. |
| RB |
Rice, McGahee and McClain
are a terrific top three. Parmele is a promising young back
as well. |
| WR |
This unit needs a
consistent, reliable deep threat for the cannon-armed Flacco.
Stallworth, signed in the offseason could be that guy, but his
play has been spotty in the past. Mason is still a solid receiver,
but is a number two, not a number one and is contemplating retirement.
Clayton and Williams were player I liked coming into the league
but haven't developed as I or the Ravens expected.
Washington is a good fourth receiver. The Ravens need to
make a bold move at this spot this year. |
| TE |
If this was three years ago
you would think with Heap and L.J. Smith this was a
strength. But not now. Both are serviceable, but a
true #1 tight end is needed. |
| OL |
This unit is a team
strength. They could use better depth. |
| DL |
Edwards is an UFA and with
more and more teams moving to the 3-4, could get over-payed in
free agency. Therefore, the Ravens need a defensive end. |
| LB |
This is a deep and talented
unit. They could stand pat and be very happy heading into
next year. |
| DB |
Webb is a good young
corner. Foxworth gets bad pub but is a valuable
commodity. Carr held his own when called upon. Still
the team could look to add a top level corner if one falls to them
in the draft. At safety, the question will be is Reed coming
back? assuming he is then the team is set at the
position. If not, they could use a playmaker since his
backup, Zbikowski, is more of a hitter than a playmaker. |
| ST |
The Ravens need to bring in
competition for Cundiff. He's okay, but replaceable.
Elsewhere they are fine. |
CIN
Major
need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
This is a key year for
Palmer who needs to show he is back to a top tier
quarterback. There backups, including Palmer's kid brother,
are pedestrian. |
| RB |
It appears I was wrong
about Benson. The key to that last sentence is
appears. However, I like Scott and believe he could be a
good NFL starting running back. Larry Johnson is an UFA. |
| WR |
The Bengals will, most
likely, have a new starter opposite Ochocinco next year. I
like Caldwell, but not Simpson, a player I felt the Bengals
over-drafted. Look for Cincinnati to bring in two new
receivers. I like do like Cosby. |
| TE |
Coffman could develop, but
if he couldn't carve a role on the team last year with their group
of tight ends, his upside is in question. This is an area of
need. |
| OL |
Williams is an UFA and if
he doesn't re-sign, the Bengals will need a starting caliber
guard. Even if he signs a guard for depth needs to be
added. The Bengals rolled the dice with Smith in last year's
draft and we'll see if that pays off next year. |
| DL |
If Odom comes back, the
team is set at end. It he isn't back, it will be interesting
to see if Johnson can be counted on to generate a pass rush.
Based on those two statement, a adding a pass rush specialist
would be a good idea. Tank Johnson is an UFA and if he
walks, a player to compete to start will need to be added. |
| LB |
I like this unit.
Maualuga will probably spend another year at SAM with Jones at
MIKE. However, if a young SAM the Bengals like is available
in draft, they could draft him to get ready to get ready for the
transition of Maualuga to MIKE in 2011. |
| DB |
Love the starting corners
and believe Trent will improve at nickel. However, Crocker
isn't the playmaker a team needs at free safety and, while you can
get away with Williams or Ndukwe at strong safety, an upgrade
wouldn't hurt. |
| ST |
Graham is an UFA so a
kicker will need to be secured in the offseason. Huber is a
steady punter and Scott, Caldwell and Cosby are fine as returners. |
CLE
Major
need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Well see if Quinn can
become a quality NFL starter, or even if Holmgren thinks
it's a possibility. Anderson will begone. I like
Ratliff, but with the new regime he may not get the chance he
could have while Mangini was calling the shots. |
| RB |
Here is my quote from last
year, "Harrison is a player I liked in the draft,
has shown big-play ability when given a chance, but hasn't been
used enough. Look for that to change this year."
It did. Look for the Browns to add a running back to share the
load with Harrison. |
| WR |
I like Massaquoi's
potential, and I wouldn't give up on Robiskie developing into a
quality starter. Cribbs is more of a playmaker than a top
receiver. Stuckey has dependable hands. This unit has
potential, but in the short run is lacking a #1 receiver. I
wouldn;t be surprised to see them add a quality receiver to their
mix. |
| TE |
Holmgren has always had
offenses that utilized tight ends. If he expects Mangini to
do the same he'll have top go out and get him one. Royal is
okay, but not a top starter. |
| OL |
Hadnot is an UFA and St
Clair is more of a backup/stop-gap starter. Therefore, a
guard and a tackle are needed. |
| DL |
This starting unit is
surprisingly solid. However, depth and some youth at end
could be added. |
| LB |
Wimbley is starting to
appear to be the okay but replaceable starter. Roth looked
good after he was signed. The Browns should add an outside
linebacker who can push to start. Inside, Jackson is solid,
but all other players on their roster are better off as backups
and special team players. |
| DB |
McDonald and Wright are two
young corners who have showed promise. I would love to see
what Lawson, a player I had as an underrated prospect in the draft
a couple of years ago could do as a nickel corner. As it is
I expect the Browns to add a corner in the offseason. At
safety, Pool was starting to get it, but has suffered numerous
concussions and may not play again. Adams is best served as
a backup and Elam is an average, but replaceable starter at strong
safety. Look for the Browns to add a free safety to start
and, possibly, a strong safety to push Elam. |
| ST |
Special teams are the
strength of this team. Dawson, Zastudil and Cribbs are a solid
trio. |
PIT
Major
need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
If I was a GM and could
choose any quarterback in the NFL for now and the future, Big Ben
is the player I would select. Batch is an UFA. Dixon
looks like he can be a solid backup if Batch leaves. |
| RB |
Mendenhall came on and will
be a top running back for the next few years. Moore is
a terrific third down and backup running back. Vincent is
intriguing. Parker is an UFA. Look for Pittsburgh to
add a runner to challenge for the top backup spot behind
Mendenhall. |
| WR |
Ward, Holmes and Wallace
are a very solid one, two, three. Sweed has had a tough go
so far. Jason Cherry could surprise in camp. |
| TE |
Miller is a good blocker
and very good receiver. Spaeth is a RFA and a team looking
for a two-way tight end could take a chance on him. If he
leaves, the Steelers will need a backup, blocking tight end. |
| OL |
This unit is better on
paper than on the field. I wouldn't be surprised to see the
Steelers draft a lineman at any position for depth and to push to
start. |
| DL |
End Smith and nose tackle
Hampton are top-drawer, but aging. Hood was drafted last
year ands he could start at end over Keisel or UFA Kirschke. It's
time to draft a young backup nose tackle and possibly another
young end. |
| LB |
This is one of the best
linebacking units in the NFL. Outside Harrison and Woodley
are terrors. Inside Farrior is still a force,
and Timmons played well. A young player to groom behind
Farrior and depth outside is needed. |
| DB |
Carter, Clark and Towsend
are UFAs and Gay is a RFA who the Steelers may allow to
walk. If they cannot resign Clark they will need a starting
free safety. The team also needs a couple of cornerbacks. |
| ST |
Reed and Sepulveda are fine
kickers. Logan is a top returner. |
NFC
NORTH
CHI
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Cutler is an overrated
commodity, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good
quarterback. He will win some games, but also lose some
games. Haine is a bit of an unknown quantity as Cutler's
backup. |
| RB |
Forte took a step back as I
expected because of Cutler. With Martz now running the
offense, Forte, a good receiver could see more receptions.
However, the team could look for a speedy, quick role player at
running back who could cut into Forte's time. |
| WR |
The only receiver who I
think Martz will love on the Bears' roster is Knox. Cutler
liked throwing to Aromashodu so he may also find a role.
Hester will become more of a return threat than a receiver.
He could be limited to four receiver sets. Look for Chicago
to add a receiver. |
| TE |
Olsen is very good, but
Martz doesn't use tight ends. Clark, a solid backup who can
block, could end up starting with Olsen traded for draft picks. |
| OL |
The Bears could use a guard
and a tackle. |
| DL |
Even if UFA Ogunleye
is resigned, the Bears need an UFA a pass rushing defensive
end. At this point in his career, brown is an acceptable,
but replaceable starter. A force opposite him would
help. Inside Harris can't stay healthy and a new starter
should be targeted to play with him. |
| LB |
This is an interesting
position. Urlacher got hurt, but he wasn't the same as
dominate self during his last full year. Briggs is solid.
Tinoisamoa won a starting job, got hurt and is now an UFA.
Roach, who started for him and held his own is a RFA.
Hillermyer is serviceable. |
| DB |
The Bears secondary is a
mixed bag. Tillman is a solid and sometimes unappreciated
corner. Bowman and Graham are also good players. The
unfortunate thing on the Bears' roster is that they have a lot of
good safety, but all are best served at strong safety, not free
safety. Manning could have been the guy, but he isn't a good
enough playmaker to play there as a starter. A playmaking
safety is a big need on this team. |
| ST |
The Bears special teams are
in good hands. There should be few complaints with Gould,
Maynard, Hester, Knox and Manning |
DET
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
The Lions are putting their
faith in Stafford and we'll see how that goes. Bothe Ramsey
and Culpepper are UFAs. Stanton is the backup right now. |
| RB |
Smith is coming off an
injury and is one of those good but replaceable running backs when
healthy. Morris has skills but is best in a limited
role. Peerman intrigues me. Still, the Lions need a
runner defenses will fear. |
| WR |
The Lions' receiving corps
is a one-man show, Calvin Johnson. It may be time to
classify Bryant Johnson as nothing more than a three or even a
four. I like Williams and think he can grow into a solid
number three receiver. However, the Lions need a starter who
can take some heat off Johnson. |
| TE |
Most analysts were higher
on Pettigrew than me. This will be a telling year. I
think he will be okay, but he won't be a feared down the seam
receiver. Heller is a good backup but he is an UFA. |
| OL |
The Lions need to draft a
left tackle and kick Backus inside. |
| DL |
Tear it down and start
again. Over the next two or three years no one starting on
the Lions' defense line will most likely still be starters. |
| LB |
Sims, Levy and Peterson
are a promising starting group. Depth is needed. |
| DB |
This is a similar situation
to their defensive line, except that Delmas is a keeper.
Make that a gem. If Bullocks ever gets back to full health,
he could be a keeper as well. |
| ST |
Age may be finally catching
up to Hansen. They could also use an upgrade at returner. |
GB
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Rodgers is a top flight
starter. Flynn is developing into a reliable backup. |
| RB |
Grant remains on the fringe
of the top backs in the league. His backups are clearly a
step down from him. However, it may be time to bring in a
runner who could push Grant a bit and be a better option to spell
him. |
| WR |
Thi8s is a talented and
deep unit with Jennings, Driver, Jones and Nelson. |
| TE |
Finley proved me
wrong. He's a star. Lee is solid backup. |
| OL |
Tauscher and Clifton are
UFAs. Barbre is an athletic young player behind them but he
may not be ready for prime time. So tackle is a concern this
offseason. The Packers are set inside. |
| DL |
The Packers put together an
impressive defensive line for a team playing the 3-4 defense for
the first time. They could use anothe body for the bench,
but that's about it. |
| LB |
The Packers are set in
three of their starting positions. I'm not sold on Brad
Jones as the long term answer opposite Matthews. Worst case,
however, he is a quality reserve. |
| DB |
A corner for depth, a
player to push Bigby. That's all the packers need in the
secondary. |
| ST |
The Packers have good
return men. However, for the second year in as row their
talented kicker and punter didn't live up to expectations.
Maybe they aren't as talented as we all thought. |
MIN
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Hmmm. What to say.
I'm going to say that I severely doubt Favre will have anywhere
near as good a year as he did last year even if he comes
back. So if Jackson and Rosenfels are not the quarterback of
the future for the Vikings, they need to start looking for one
whether or not Favre returns. |
| RB |
Taylor is an UFA so the
Vikings will need a runner to support Peterson, although I kind of
like Ian Johnson. |
| WR |
Rice became a big time
player, but Berrian took a step back. Harvin is a
weapon. A player for depth who could also eventually
challenge Berrian could be added. |
| TE |
Shiancoe is proved he is a
quality tight end. Kleinsasser is a fine backup. |
| OL |
A right guard and an insurance
policy for the volatile McKinnie should be addressed in the
offseason. |
| DL |
Valuable reserve Kennedy is
an UFA. The starters are excellnet. Depth inside and
outside could be addressed. |
| LB |
The Vikings starters with
either Henderson or Brinkley in the middle is very strong.
However, backups are needed. |
| DB |
The Vikings are fine at
corner, but both starting safeties could be replaced. |
| ST |
The Vikings are strong at
kicker, punter and returner. |
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