(Nineth Post) Team Needs: NFC NORTH

Minnesota Vikings - 12th Overall selection

At a glance: QB, WR, OL, DL, CB, S

Offense
Next the roof collapse, the Vikings 2010 post-season hopes were also cause for lament, it became obvious that QB Brett Favre couldn't repeat his amazing 2009 campaign. And with Favre playing erratically, the offense suffered, often relying too heavily on the back of RB Adrian Peterson. Furthermore, the Vikings haven't addressed their long-term QB situation since 'Sir Francis of Tarkenton' left back in '78 and now with the famous #4 (Brett Favre) not coming back for his 21st season, its imperative that the Vikes make a move to get their QB of the future, my guess is they'll grab a reliable veteran signal caller and a "young-gun" to groom behind him. Also, we know WR Berrnard Berrian won't be back next year and with the cloud of 'CBA-uncertainty' looming, we don't yet know if WR Sidney Rice will be back, but even if he isn't, the receiving core leaves a lot to be desired. That said a young wide-out could really help stabilize the loss of  Berrian and Rice (if he can/does decides to leave.)
                        Defense
                        As for the defense, they automatically have needs on the defensive line as DT Pat Williams & DE Ray Edwards both won't be returning. And despite the fact they signed DE Brian Robinson, they simply lack the versatility and depth needed to dominate opposing offenses. Also, its imperative that they look for secondary help, considering CB Antoine Winfield should be the only player guaranteed a starting role next year.

Detroit Lions - 13th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, QB, CB, DE, SS

Offense
This squad made a great jump in ability & talent last year after drafting RB Jahvid Best, however slightly regressed when QB Matthew Stafford was unable to stay on the field due to injuries. Which brings me to my next point, after witnessing the sharp decline in talent when Stafford leaves the field, the Lions would do good to protect themselves against this by adding QB depth on the roster instead of gambling each week while Stafford is on the sideline. Furthermore, the Lions seriously lack in real threat via WR excluding of course Calvin Johnson. Therefore, it stands to reason they should go grab another wide-out in this year's draft so they don't seem so one dimensional when it comes to the pass-attack.
                        Defense
                        Yes, Ndamkung Suh is everything we thought he'd be and more. Literally this guy (Suh) is to football what Blake Griffin is to basketball; in the sense that you have to know where he is at all times and even though you know what is game plan is, you still can stop him because he seems 'raw' and just naturally gifted at his position. But outside of Suh & FS Louis Delmas, the Lions need help everywhere namely at the DE and CB positions. With Suh in the middle of that D-line, it would seem that anyone you put outside of him at the 5-technique will have success and maybe that true, however adding a solid pass-rushing DE, would down-right make them scary. As for the secondary, they are in real trouble, because CB's Nate Vasher & Alphonso Smith are the only corners under contract next year and CB Chris Houston is a free agent who'll likely not be coming back.

Chicago Bears - 29th Overall selection

At a glance: OL, WR, DT, DE

Offense
Offensively the Bears got simply got by on their biggest weakness last year, which was their offensive line. Outside of C Olin Kreutz (who is a FA,) no one on this squad may is guaranteed to play let alone start next year (yes that includes: Frank Omiyale, Chris Williams, Roberto Garza & J'Marcus Webb,) so they need to immediately look at getting better up front by drafting O-linemen who can help them control the line of scrimmage. And if the loss to the Packers in the playoffs wasn't motivation enough, expect them to also look for play-makers at the WR position to supplant Devin Hester.
                        Defense
                       The Bear defense live and dies by stopping the run and forcing teams to pass the ball, however the release of DT Tommie Harris highlights the Bears need for both run-stuffing and interior pass-rush. Also they would benefit greatly if the could find another DE opposite Julius Peppers, or simple reason of giving him a blow every few plays by building depth behind him and DE Israel Idonije.

Green Bay Packers - 32nd Overall selection

At a glance: OT, WR, RB, OLB, DE

Offense
Of course I saved the best for last, that's right, the Super Bowl XLV Champions pick at the end of the first round. And as any fan will tell you, "You're always more critical of your own team than you are of others." The Packers biggest needs will be addressed internally as 15 players come off injuries. That said however, they should continue to grab another OT who could either replace RT Bryan Bulaga or be groomed to replace LT Chad Clifton. Another concern is the receiving core which torched the league last year, WR Donald Driver turns 36yrs old next year and WR James Jones is FA wants to be a starter, meaning he'll probably sign elsewhere.
                        Defense
                       Defensively, the squad was hit with bad news when DT/DE Johnny Jolly was recently charged again with a new drug-related charge, keep in mind DE Cullen Jenkins is a FA. So the need for a 3-technique DE is a killer, and although OLB Brad Jones returns from injury, it could be argued our biggest need defensively is a to find a pass-rushing savant opposite the "Claymaker" OLB Clay Matthews.

(Eighth Post) Team Needs: AFC NORTH

Cincinnati Bengals - 4th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, QB, RB, OL, DT, SS

Offense
Well any time your team is drafting in the top five of the NFL Draft, you usually have a lot of needs and the Bengals are no exception. With the whole Carson Palmer distraction some have the Bengals wanting to sure up the QB position early, however they also have major needs at wide-out considering both WR's Chad Ochocinco & Terrell Owens won't be back next year and I'm not sure Quan Cosby & Jordan Shipley are ready to handle the load just yet. Also they may want to grab an insurance-back (in case RB Cedric Benson can't repeat his 1,000yrd performance,) and start to address the offensive line by getting a 'mauler-type' of offensive linemen, someone who can control the line of scrimmage due to their lack of push up front.
                        Defense
                        While Cinci's pass-rush definitely needs a boost, I feel like DE Carlos Dunlap has just started to tap into his 'freakish' potential, which will mean good things for the secondary however, outside of DT Domata Peko, they lack a real run-stuffing beast to force bigger offense lines to double team them, meaning offensive linemen have an easier time opening up running lanes for opposing backs. Also, its imperative they finally address their SS needs and allow Roy Williams to be on his way.

Cleveland Browns - 6th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, TE, RT, DT, DE

Offense
It's easy to say that the Browns were a mess last year, but any 'Dawg Pound' fan will tell you, this team is on the rise, mostly because of the 'Schwarzenegger-like' running of Peyton Hillis and the solid ball control of rookie Colt McCoy, but the real reason is Mike Holmgren's leadership. The same leadership who made the "Brady Quinn-Peyton Hillis" trade, drafted QB Colt McCoy, RB Montario Hardesty and helped the Browns fans believe that there is something worth visiting in Cleveland.  So to that end, the Browns must surround their young QB with talent, namely throwing targets, like a play-making WR or a solid TE. Also, addressing the RT position should really help them eat up teams on the ground when Hillis & Hardesty get some steam going.
                        Defense
                        On the defensive side, the Browns must immediately address the defensive line, not only because of the departure of DT Shaun Rodgers, but also because they are switching back to their more traditional 4-3 alignment. Meaning their linemen in the trenches now become even more crucial in winning the battle against the offense. They should look to grab both a big 3-technique DT as well as a 5-technique DE, preferably a speedy DE who can provide pass-rush while also holding down the run.

Baltimore Ravens - 26th Overall selection

At a glance: OT, OLB, CB, MLB

Offense
Many will ask: "What the heck happened to the Ravens? They were completely stacked on offense!" Well, the answer is they were completely stacked at the skilled positions, but not where most games are won & lost... The Trenches. More specifically, the RT position which was a total disaster, of course they tried patching the hole with the likes of: Marshal Yanda, Tony Moll & Oniel Cousins, but no of them had much success and it gradually affected both the pass & run attack. Chances are they'll try and move LT Michael Oher back to the RT position where he had his successful rookie season but, only if they can find a successor to take over at the LT position, either way OT is the biggest need this off-season.
                        Defense
                       As for "Ray-Ray's Squad," many people will say they need more of a pass-rush opposite Terrell Suggs, or help in the secondary considering starting CB Domonique Foxworth is coming back from knee surgery and both CB's Josh Wilson & Chris Carr are free-agents. That said, the Ravens will more than likely re-sign one, if not both of them. So it's a push in terms of urgency between the OLB & CB positions, however they should also consider grooming #52's (Ray Lewis) replacement.

Pittsburgh Steelers - 31st Overall selection

At a glance: OT, OG, CB

Offense
Offensively they're very stout, as long as Roethilsberger can stay healthy, its fair to say they'll always be in contention. Furthermore, following that logic they should try and do a better job at protecting 'Big-Ben' namely at the OT & OG positions, where injuries killed their depth, making way for the likes of OT Flozell Adams into the fray. As long as the Steelers stick to last year's formula, where they hit a home-run by drafting Pro Bowl difference-maker C Maurkice Pouncey, they should return to the playoffs.
                        Defense
                        Pittsburgh's defense is powerful and with very few holes, however they could definitely use an upgrade & depth in the secondary. Coming off a harsh Super Bowl loss, where their lack of depth in the secondary was exposed as Green Bay used three and four-receiver sets to pick apart Dick LeBeau's defense; I expect them to grab a corner early, especially considering Ike Taylor is a free-agent.

(Seventh Post) Team Needs: AFC SOUTH

Tennesse Titans - 8th Overall selection

At a glance: QB, DT, DE, MLB, S

Offense
On offense, the Titans troubles all begin and end under-center, meaning they need a new QB badly. Especially considering they'll want to put the ugly divorce between former phenom Vince Young &  Head coach Jeff Fisher behind them. I expect for the new coach Mike Munchak to go the veteran route temporarily, at least until whatever QB he selects in this year's draft is ready to take the reins.
                        Defense
                        As for the defense, this team desperately needs to get bigger and more durable up front on the defensive line. A big run-stuffing DT and durable edge rushing DE would go along way into making this squad respectable again. That's not to say last year's squad didn't do a decent job, but quite frankly the interior defensive line, time and again failed to collapse the pocket and their "smallish" DE's just wore down. Now I realize they spent last year's first round pick on DE Derrick Morgan, (who after an ACL Tear, missed the entire season,) and the jury's still out on him, but keep in mind three of last year's DE's are headed for free-agency (Jason Babin, Dave Ball & Jacob Ford,) so the need is much more than just 'lack-of-talent.' Furthermore, they also have needs at MLB and S as Stephen Tolloch's a candidate for free-agency and fair to say that he won't be back, also they should look to find Chris Hope's eventual replacement as the strong-side.

Houston Texans - 11th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, OL, SS, FS, OLB

Offense
The Texans proved they can be very deadly when given time and more importantly, when Andre Johnson is healthy & motivated. That said, they also have a deadly ground-game with the emergence of Arian Foster. But they definitely need another speedster receiving threat opposite Johnson, you know the kind of threat Jacoby Jones was supposed to be, because Kevin Walter is not getting it done.
                        Defense
                        The Texans defense will be getting a complete makeover this season under new D-coordinator Wade Phillips, converting their traditional 4-3 to his famous 3-4 alignment. The same defensive alignment he used to make OLB's Shawn Merriman & DeMarcus Ware household names. That said the question of who will be the next prototypical OLB sack machine is completely up in the air. Connor Barwin a converted DE, was slated to be one of the names the other is unknown. The other serious concern is the secondary, namely the Safety positions; Eugene Wilson got cut, Bernard Pollard was non-tendered and is not expected to be back. So clearly they're in serious need of a personal infusion.

Jacksonville Jaguars - 16th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, QB, DE, MLB, SS

Offense
This offense certainly showed its potential last year, however the injury to RT Eben Britton came at a horrible time for their playoff hopes and the rest of the line tanked after that. It seems the lack of a decent wide-out has hurt this team ever since Jimmy Smith retired and Keenan McCardell went to another team. That said, Mike Sims-Walker won't be back next year, so the urgency to get a play-maker at receiver has never been more pressing than now. Also, getting some better competition for inconsistent QB David Garrard would mean two things; 1) Garrard plays better & 2) the rookie has a chance to be groomed.
                        Defense
                        The Jacksonville defensive squad has many holes to fill, to say the least. The linebacker spot is definitely a need, while Daryl Smith is solid, Kirk Morrison & Justin Durant will both walk as free agents, so it goes without saying depth is already a concern. Furthermore, their biggest glaring need last year was at the Safety position where SS Courtney Greene played service-ably; however FS Don Carey won't get the job done next year. And despite the fact they drafted two DE's last year (Larry Hart & Austen Lane,) as well as signing free agent Aaron Kampman, the pass-rush still isn't where it needs to be, so getting value at this position is key.

Indianapolis Colts - 22nd Overall selection

At a glance: OL, WR, DT, SS

Offense
On the surface, one will ask "What could the Colts offense possibly need?" And on paper or even in Madden, that's a fair question. However, the reality is they have serious questions heading into next year. Namely the offensive line, who as Bill Polian (Colts GM) said "Yes, the team needs offensive linemen," that's offensive linemen plural. Also, when healthy they have a dangerous set of receivers yet, Clark, Gonzalez & Collie all have health concerns heading into next year and none of them can fill Reggie Wanye's role. So, despite the fact that the Colts have spent many premium picks on 'Skills-Guys' during the Manning-era, they still have a don't have a 'dynamic' second threat opposite Wayne.
                        Defense
                        The defense isn't as bad off as many thought last year, meaning FS Antoine Betha finally stepped in the leadership role, vacated by SS Bob Sanders. Which, lucky for them allowed them to part ways with Sanders who signed with the always dangerous Chargers this off-season. However, they should still look to build depth at the Safety position, with Sanders gone and Melvin Bullitt being a free agent, means this could potentially leave a gaping hole in the secondary.

(Sixth Post) Team Needs: NFC SOUTH

Carolina Panthers - 1st Overall selection

At a glance: QB, RT, DL, OLB, SS, FS

Offense
Despite having the worst record in the league, this team is much better than its 2-14 record would suggest. In fact, they still have Wide-out Steve Smith, RB's DeAngelo Williams & Johnathan Stewart and under the radar Pro-Bowler's OT Jordan Gross and C Ryan Kalil. So clearly the team has been dogged by a lack of experience & leadership at the QB position and although the team did address this need last year by drafting QB Jimmy Clausen, many people  aren't convinced he's the answer. Moreover, with two impressive QB's at the top of this year's draft (Cam Newton & Blaine Gabbert,) it'll be very hard for the Panthers to not pick a signal caller at #1.
                        Defense
                        Now here's where the team can really improve, especially up the middle of the defense. And with Chargers D-Coordinator Ron Rivera taking over for the former "Defensive-Genius" John Fox, expect the 4-3 set to stay, also with some improvements in the run stopping department.  The defensive line specifically have been a troublesome spot ever since DT Kris Jenkins and DE Julius Peppers left via free-agency. So expect them to go after a 3-technique DT to help squeeze the pocket and flush runners to the outside. Now they also have questions in the secondary, with Richard Marshall & Chris Gamble. And there has been some speculation that maybe they'll take Patrick Peterson the defensive-back from LSU (who is probably the most complete player of the draft,) but at the number one overall pick? I just don't see it.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 20th Overall selection

At a glance: OL, RB, DE, LB, CB

Offense
Despite the surprising 10-6 record last year, this team still has some places it can grow. Now the offensive needs aren't as big as the defensive ones, with the likes of youngsters: Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Dez Briscoe, Josh Freeman and of course LeGarrette Blount. That said, if they do decide to look to shore-up the offense and prevent a sophomore slump, they should look toward building depth along the OL also, grabbing another RB to keep LeGarrette Blount fresh, would certainly pay dividends.
                        Defense
                        The defense on the other hand, could certainly use an upgrade in talent at several positions, namely the DE spot, which failed to secure the outside lanes and generate enough pass-rush. Now don't get me wrong, DE's Stylez G. White & Tim Crowder played decently but, considering the Bucco's spent the first two picks on the interior of the DL last year (DT's Gerald McCoy & Brian Price,) it seems to reason that they would insure their success by adding young talent around them. Also, other 'need areas' should be determined by what the Bucco's do via free-agency. For example, if MLB Barrett Rudd leaves they'll need depth along the LB ranks to compensate also they'll have to make a decision on suspended Safety Tanard Jackson. So basically they should look to address the DE positions first then work backwards from there.

New Orleans Saints - 24th Overall selection

At a glance: OT, RB, DE, OLB

Offense
Offensively the Saints are pretty much set at the skilled positions, however they may want to look into getting another RB at some point because of the ambiguous Reggie Bush situation. And even though they chose to let Jeremy Shockey walk in free-agency this year, they feel very confident in young talent TE Jimmy Graham who in a couple of years may turn into a serious threat. Also they'll need to build further depth at the OT position, and I know what you're thinking... "Hey Sean, didn't they just draft Charles Brown last year?" Yes they did, and he'll compete with Jermon Bushrod at the LT spot, but heck it never hurts to have competition.
                        Defense
                        Even though they were a solid team last year, defensively this squad can certainly improve. Adding talent at DE position specifically would make a substantial difference. Yes, they do have Will Smith (the athlete, Not the actor) they need another threat opposite him. Although DE's Alex Smith & Jimmy Wilkerson played adequately at the DE spot, adding a dynamic pass-rusher would bring the zeal back to this Greg Williams defense. Keep in mind this team should be solid as long as they can retain core talent through the franchise-tag (that is, if the franchise-tag exists in the new CBA.) Lastly, they lack any real athleticism at the OLB position, just a note but I'm sure they could get by.

Atlanta Falcons - 27th Overall selection

At a glance: OL, WR, RB, DE, OLB

Offense
Yes, the Falcons went 13-3 last year and were for a good portion of the season was the most consistent, most dangerous, best coached and most talented team in the league. However, when they met the Packers in the playoffs, it became pretty clear that they lacked another throwing target opposite Roddy White as well as a speedster 'change-of-pace' back to compliment Michael Turner. Also, I'm not so sure they are sold on Sam Baker at LT. Look for them to address the wide-out & RB needs first, then coming back to the OL.
                        Defense
                        Again they went 13-3, and most would be content with saying they don't need much, however that Green Bay game really exposed the chinks in the armor. It's no secret they lack a sufficient pass-rush and John Abraham's age is starting to finally show, so adding another dynamic DE would be key. Finally, even though they drafted OLB Sean Weatherspoon last year, Mike Peterson is getting older and adding more athleticism to the OLB spot would make sense.

(Fifth Post) Team Needs: AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills - 3rd Overall selection

At a glance: QB, OT, TE, DL, LB, CB

                        Offense
                        Now before I say the Bills offense needs everything, allow me to say that they do have some good pieces, including the will to want to get better, as many of their losses were close games. Other young pieces include: CJ Spiller, Stevie Johnson, Eric Wood & Andy Levitre, all of which do show flashes of being brilliant and to be honest a lot of this team's woes could be masked simply by investing in a franchise QB to lead this team.
                        Defense
                       Pretty much the same story as the offense they need a lot of help, with the exception of DT Kyle Williams, MLB Paul Posluszny, SS Donte Whitner and FS Jarius Byrd. So it goes without saying they lack a strong pass-rush, a great cover-corner and a force to consistently stop the run. Look for them to address the needs of OLB, CB and DE as well as additional depth along the line-backing crew.

Miami Dolphins - 15th Overall selection

At a glance: RB, OG, C, DL, FS

Offense
The Dolphins have definitely have a proven threats in wide-out Brandon Marshall, running-backs Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown as well as a developing one in Davone Bess. However, this team is still a mild speed bump in the division, mostly due to inconsistent play at the QB position and the lack of sufficient push up the middle of the offensive line. This squad must address the RB situation as both Williams & Brown are free-agents, and there's no guarantee that one or any will be back next year. Also, the Dolphins should look to secure the QB position as Henne may not be the answer and they also need a 'mauler-type' G/C who can help reduce the number of sacks as well as increase the yards per carry for rushers.
                       Defense
                       This defense played some tough games last year, and with the emergence of Cameron Wake and Vontae Davis, they have a core to build around. But just looking at this squad you'll notice their biggest weakness is their defensive line.Therefore, anything that can help them sure up either the DT or 5-technique DE position, would definitely make a notable difference.

New England Patriots - 17th & 28th Overall selections

At a glance: OT, OG, RB, OLB, SS

                       Offense
                      As long as Tom Brady is around this team will always be a top-flight contender. Their real problems lie within the offense line; RG Stephen Neal just retired, LG Logan Mankins is not happy, LT Matt Light is a free-agent and RT Nick Kazcur is recovering from serious back surgery. Moreover, we know they now have a creative approach toward the RB position, with Benjarvis Green-Ellis hitting the 1000yrd mark and Danny Woodhead making the Jets regret cutting the little-back, but they still need a home-run threat at the position, also adding another wide-out wouldn't hurt either.
                        Defense
                       This defense was solidly built over the years through the draft and have a solid core around Mayo, Spikes, McCourty, Wilfork and Chung. However, with the recent troubles of young Saftey Brandon Merriweather (gun shot murder case,) they may need to look at the S position or turn to a vet to take over, needless to say, the whole situation will be a distraction. Their real weakness is the lack of pass-rush from the OLB position (w/ only 13.5 sacks last yr,) keep in mind divisional opponent Cameron Wake had 14 sacks by himself, so finding a dependable pass-rusher is key to their defensive progression.

New York Jets - 30th Overall selection

At a glance: OT, DT, DE, OLB, SS

                       Offense
                       This offense has at time been perfunctory in their success, considering their firepower on offense with the likes of Green, Holmes, Edwards, Keller and one of the best offensive lines in the business; it's hard to say exactly what their problem is other than looking flat at times. And although, he made huge strides last year Mark Sanchez, at times he seems like the weak-link. In review, despite playing for the 'pressure-cooker' that is New York fans, perhaps all this team needs is time.
                        Defense
                        Even though the defense was this team's strength, they definitely have the potential to improve, which is scary. Since losing Kerry Rhodes in free agency and Jim Leonard to injury they lack a play-making center fielder who can help alleviate the pressure forced on Revis and Chromartie. Lastly, the could use a youth infusion along the defensive line, namely a 5-technique DE.

(Fourth Post) Team Needs: NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys - 9th Overall selection

At a glance: OT, CB, FS, DE, QB

Offense
Allow me to first say, I am a solid 'Cowboys-hater,' but I refuse to let it cloud my judgment on what their needs are. Alright, with that disclaimer out of the way, let's begin; we already know Tony Romo and 'rookie-sensation' Dez Bryant were hurt toward the end of last year which clearly altered their record. But let's start with the offensive line, Doug Free and Kyle Koiser are both Free Agents who, Dallas needs to re-up immediately, and while Alex Barron played decently, he somehow remained the league-leader penalties. So needless to say, the offensive line is an area that desperately needs to be solidified. Also, despite what some fans may think, it wouldn't be a horrible idea to grab and groom a new franchise QB should Romo falter or get injured.
                        Defense
                        "It was the best of times it was the worst of times... Under Wade Phillips the Cowboy's Defense was like reading Charles Dickens. They somehow managed to put up individual statistics while still giving up points to opposing offenses, but with Phillips gone the defense will probably lack some of the explosiveness they discovered under their former "defensive-guru." Furthermore, their D-Line could use a boost namely at the DE position where although Stephen Bowen played well, lacked enough firepower to create double teams. Also the team could seriously use secondary help, either at corner because Terrance Newman seems to be losing a step, or at the FS position which seems vacant against opposing offenses.

Washington Redskins - 10th Overall selection

At a glance: QB, RB, WR, OL, DL, LB

Offense
It's hard to tell what Mike Shanahan has in mind for this squad, especially since the dismissal of popular QB Donovan McNabb. And sadly when you look at this side of the ball, one can't help but think they have holes everywhere (except LT Trent Williams & TE Chris Cooley.) My expectation is that pride will get the better of Shanahan and he'll draft his next QB protégé then turning his attention toward RB & WR.
                       Defense
                       Although Albert Haynesworth is gone, the hole he created isn't. In fact the DT position is still a very big need area, one they should look to fill if they have any hope of competing consistently in the NFC East. Furthermore, outside of LaRon Landry & Brian Orakpo, this squad needs a makeover; namely getting another stout 5-technique DE as well as another pass-rushing threat opposite Orakpo at the other OLB position. Oh and getting deeper at the corner position wouldn't hurt either.

New York Giants - 19th Overall selection

At a glance: OL, RB, TE, OLB, CB

Offense
With all the injuries and shuffling suffered last year the offensive line needs to be addressed, forcing Eli Manning to work hard every play, think 'David Tyree Super Bowl Catch.' That said, the wide-outs on this squad are stacked as well as young, with the likes of Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and future superstar Hakim Nicks, Eli has all the throwing threats he needs; the real question is who (Eli) he hands off to? Because running-back Ahmad Bradshaw is their leading rusher as well as Free Agent and Coughlin seems reluctant to give the rock back to the fumbling Brandon Jacobs. Oh and grabbing a play-making TE wouldn't hurt either considering Kevin Boss is a FA as well.
                        Defense
                        Now this D-Line is stacked, but we've come to expect that from the Giants, with the development of Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora, but with last year's pick of Jason Pierre-Paul; expect another dynamic threat coming out of this DE factory. And even though, their secondary isn't too shabby, with the emergence of Webster & Thomas filling in for the oft-injured Aaron Ross, an infusion of youth would go a long way. Personally, their real needs are at the LB spots, namely replacements/competition for Michael Boley & Johnathan Goff, who while playing admirable did seem a weak-link.
 

Philidelphia Eagles - 23rd Overall selection

At a glance: OL, CB, OLB, DE, SS

Offense
Thanks in large part to resurrection of Michael Vick this team was easily the most exciting team to watch during the regular season. And in many ways there is a lot to be excited about going into next year; namely the combined speed on the field of Vick, McCoy, Maclin and Jackson which seems stifling to opposing defenses. Not to mention the maturation process of Brent Celek and Jason Avant finally securing their roles as leaders all while rookie Riley Cooper helps find holes in defensive coverages. However, if you're looking for a place to improve, look no further than the offensive line, more specifically the RT position where former 'SC talent Winston Justice still hasn't rose to take over the position. Just as well no one along this line outside of Jason Peters is irreplaceable and Andy Reid knows it; so it goes without saying that he'll look to address the OL situation early in the draft.
                        Defense
                        On the surface, there's nothing immediately wrong with this squad and while Sean McDermott did the best he could, he just wasn't Jim Johnson. Their biggest question comes in two forms: 'How do they solidify their secondary if Quintin Mikell leaves in FA?' And 'How long can they go without finding another cover threat opposite Asante Samuel? Secondly, they could find a big run-stuffing DT, or a reliable LB to give Moises Fokou and Jamar Chaney a run for their money. Lastly, here's hoping Juan Castillo has better luck than his predecessor. 

(Third Post) Team Needs: AFC WEST

Denver Broncos - 2nd Overall selection

At a glance: DT, MLB, CB, FS

Offense
Many people were surprised by the squad that Josh McDaniels put out on the field last year and quiet frankly, so was I. They really played with some muster despite Kyle Orton's blasé throwing, Demaryius Thomas's ineffectiveness and Knowshon Moreno's injuries. But toward the end of the year fans got what they wanted, McDaniels got fired, Tebow took the field and speculation of how John Elway could change the franchise grew. At this point, the offense needs is time to gel and time for the rookies to wet their feet and get comfortable, (sadly Demaryius Thomas will miss the season with an Achilles tear;) also a TE to take over for aging Daniel Graham would hurt either.
                       Defense
                      If the offense needs time to grow, then the defense needs a complete overhaul and under new head coach and 'defensive-genius' John Fox, that's exactly what they'll get. Switching back to a 4-3, after having played in 3-4 the last few seasons. All of which means they need new personnel, likely a 3-technique DT, a run-stuffing MLB and depth in the secondary, because Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins aren't getting any younger. Furthermore, Fox will probably look to build around DJ Williams (most likely at the Will LB spot) and Robert Ayers who can return to his natural DE position.

San Diego Chargers - 18th Overall selection

At a glance: DT, DE, FS, LB

Offense
The Chargers are one of the most stacked teams in the league, loaded with talent like Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles. Not to mention the grooming of Ryan Matthews who is clearly talented. But any real Charger's fan will tell you the development of Louis Vasquez, Seyi Arjirotutu and Legedu Naanee were some of the real keys to take away from last season. Perhaps they could draft another play-making wide-out, or another scat-back in case Darren Sproles leaves, but really the holes if any, are in the training staff for not keeping these guys healthy enough to stay on the field.
                        Defense
                        Now here's where the Chargers can improve and under Greg Manusky they definitely will; let me first say I hardly ever agree with AJ Smith and his selections, however last year's pick of Donald Butler at the MLB spot was an absolute steal! Now, I know you're probably screaming at your PC saying, "Yeah Sean, what a steal, the kid got hurt in preseason and never played a down." Allow me retort by saying this kid is RAW, and by that I mean he has a 'Ray Lewis-type' ceiling (little known fact, he set the record for most bench reps for LB's @ the combine w/ 35.) Okay, enough of the 'Butler' tangent; the Bob Sanders signing was huge, finally giving them the leadership in the secondary that's been lacking since Rodney Harrison left, let's just hope he can stay healthy. However, if Eric Weddle decides to walk in free agency they'll need to draft a FS as well as another cover-corner for Nickel sets. But their biggest needs come up front with the 'big-boys' drafting Cam Thomas was a steal (7th Rnd) and the revelation of Antonio Garay was great but really the lack of push from the DL was exposed against run-heavy teams... (The Raider games.) Hence, getting another 'mauler-type' should really help the run defense, preferably DT or a 5-technique DE.

Kansas City Chiefs - 21st Overall selection

At a glance: LT, C, OLB, WR, DT

Offense
Kudos to Todd Haley for bringing in Charlie Weis and trusting him to turn this squad into the New England Patriots of the west. With Matt Cassel leading the way, they discovered just how good their previous draft was. Emerging weapons Dexter McCluster and Tony Moeaki (Tony Gonzalez 2.0) showcased their skills in tandem with the very dangerous Jamal Charles and the inconsistent Dwayne Bowe, all of which proved to be enough to get them into playoffs but, for an encore performance they'll need to shore-up their offense line and search for reliable receiving target.
                        Defense
                        Romeo Crennel certainly had this staff playing at a high level, and their 3-4 set finally displayed some of that potential we kept hearing about. More importantly the leadership of Brandon Flowers as well as the emergence of rookie Safety Eric Berry was a revelation and should become a dangerous secondary for years to come. But the consistency of a pass-rush really hurt them, especially in the playoffs, and I know Tamba Hali had 14.5 sacks last season, however just imagine how many he would have if there were another pass-rush threat opposite him. Moreover, a big run-stuffing DT is a must, especially with the young backs in this division just coming of age (Knowshon Moreno, Ryan Matthews & Darren McFadden.)

Oakland Raiders - 48th Overall selection (B/c Seymour trade 17th pick to NE)

At a glance: OLB, QB, G, CB

Offense
I'll be honest, I really expected this team to be in the dumps last year, even though they had some good pieces, but I wasn't the only one shocked heck, the whole division lost to the Raiders last year, and despite going 6-0 in the division they STILL missed the playoffs. The running game finally opened-up, giving Darren McFadden a breakout season, mostly due to the emergence of C Jared Veldheer combined with the learning process of RG/RT Bruce Campbell. However, the question of whether or not LG Robert Gallery walks away in free agency is a major concern. And considering that all free agency matters are clouded by the new CBA, the Raiders best line of action would be to draft more OL depth and a QB to groom behind Jason Campbell. In closing, this offense has very little holes and as long as they remain healthy they should continue to build on the progress they made last year
                         Defense
                         The Raiders defense finally unleashed some of that deadly speed Al Davis drafted and showed some of the potential Raider fans always murmured about in the stands. Specifically, draft picks Rolando McClain & Lamarr Houston added heart & toughness to this squad which in turn made defensive-captain Richard Seymour believe that winning in Oakland IS possible. Now the question is how to maintain the progress they've made, the answer is to build depth along the front seven and find another OLB to assist McClain & Wimbley in becoming the best line-backing core in AFC West. Also, with Pro-Bowl corner Nnamdi Asomugha's future in question they should look toward drafting potential replacements.

(Second Post) Team Needs: NFC WEST

Let's start our second post on a good note, by saying that I'll be going in terms of draft position:

Arizona Cardinals - 5th Overall selection

At a glance:  QB, TE, OLB, RT

Offense
Now it's pretty clear that without Kurt Warner, the team sagged badly and really struggled to maintain any drive, let alone morale. That said, everyone knows they have a potentially dangerous offense waiting to be unleashed by the right signal caller, but for some reason they seem stubborn in not wanting to groom one (Matt Leinart) or to go through any sort growing pains (Max Hall.) Which all points to the 'Veteran-Free-Agent' route however, due to the CBA dragging on, that process seems as gray as ever. As for the rest of the offense it'd be hard find a slouch, however they did rank dead last in rushing yards, but I'm guessing that's because teams didn't fear their air attack, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to improve on the right side, considering Jeremy Bridges hasn't exactly been holding it down. Finally, a solid TE would go a long way in diversifying their aerial attack and solidifying their run game.
                       Defense
                       As for the defense, only secondary was stout, but even they couldn't make up for a lack luster pass-rush. This squad is in desperate need of a heart transplant, with grizzled vet's like Darnell Dockett wanting out, and Joey Porter just talking, its hard to notice the inspiring play of Daryl Washington. That said, a pass-rushing, 'pressure-creating' monster is what they need, as well as anyone with 'Heart.'


San Francisco 49ers - 7th Overall selection

At a glance: QB, OLB, CB, DT

Offense
                       I hate to offend my Niner fan readers, but Alex Smith was never the answer. The real question is what to do at pick #7... Whether or not to finally address the QB quandary that's plagued the franchise the last 8yrs or capitalize on the great talent available at #7 by fill other pressing needs? The latter of course means hoping to get a by another year with a lackluster offense, which should struggle to mask its inadequacies considering Frank Gore is coming off season cut short by fractured hip, Brian Westbrook is a year older and David Carr is the only QB currently under contract. Other than Vernon Davis, the 'flashy' Michael Crabtree and the occasional Ted Ginn sighting, the offense lacks any real threats and at times reveal serious depth concerns. That said, adding another play-maker along the receiving corps or bolstering the run game would all pale in comparison to having a reliable signal caller.
                       Defense   
                      Greg Manusky, may have gotten more out of this group than Singletary ever could, and to be honest, this was one of the nastiest defenses in the league, and could easily be the answer for most of the teams wins. Sadly, Manusky's fervor will have to be felt from San Diego as he's the new D-Coordinator there and with his departure, they have holes that need to be filled and questions that need to addressed. First, is what happens to Aubrayo Franklin? Who was the team's Franchised player last year, and with the Haynesworth money kicking in (based on the avg salary of top players at the position, around the league,) a franchise tagged DT might just be a horrible idea. Heck, that's considering that there will even be the 'Franchise Player Tag' in the next CBA. Nate Clements won't be coming back under his current deal and even though Shantee Spencer is solid, their lack of dependable Nickel-corners makes them fodder for pass-heavy teams. The real attention getter though, is the lack of pressure put on opposing QB's, namely from the OLB position. Why is this so important? Well, the last time the 49ers had a player reach double digit sacks was Andre Carter back in 2002 w/ 12.5 sacks, similarly that was also the last time the Niners had a winning record... Any correlation?

St Louis Rams - 14th Overall selection

At a glance: WR, TE, FS, OLB, DT

Offense
                        It's pretty fair to say this team is set at QB. Furthermore, Sam Bradford did a phenomenal job considering what he had to work with; (Amendola, Bajema, Robinson, Gibson) so anything that can help Bradford soar in 2011 would be a good move considering the division is more or less still up for grabs. A major need is a play making Wide-Out, followed by TE and a change of pace scat-back who can tire out the defense when Steve Jack needs a blow. Finally, depth along the offensive line wouldn't be a bad idea either again, HELP SAM BRADFORD!
                       Defense
                       Much like the offense, the defense actually didn't play too bad, despite the lack of talent, credit that to new coach 'Spaggs' really getting through to the younger guys (Long & Laurinaitis.) That said, an influx of new talent at the OLB position should definitely take some heat off the captain James Laurinaitis. Also, improvements to the secondary are a must, considering the departure of OJ Atogwe to the Washington Redskins, leaving a gaping hole in both leadership and talent that Rod Bartell can't fill by himself. Lastly, finding a stout 3-technique DT to help plug the run and squeeze the pocket, forcing teams to question whether they should run at Long or Hall, would pay big dividends.

Seattle Seahawks - 25th Overall selection

At a glance: QB, OL, WR, CB, DE

Offense
QB is without a doubt the biggest need here, even if they somehow manage to re-sign Matt Hasselbeck, the position has proven to be an injury prone, inexperienced and shaky one for the Seahawks the last couple of years. So clearly the biggest need is finding a new hope to lead the offense, and knowing Pete Carroll, this has been on his mind since he took the job (Charlie Whitehurst.) Even if they choose not to address the QB situation right away, the offensive line is another area that needs to be rebuilt and last year's signing of Russell Okung was a great start, granted they do have some other talent, albeit injured (Max Unger is a rock.) But depth and quality are both severely lacking along this line.
                        Defense
                        Despite their beleaguerment, the 2010 Seattle defense wasn't that bad and really outperformed expectations even shocking the defending champion Saints in the playoffs. All of which must have been a response to either Carroll's enthusiasm or a newly discovered leader in the secondary (Earl Thomas.) But there are still holes along the defensive line, more specifically DE. Well, anytime you have Kentwan Balmer starting there's a certainly a problem. So a solid pass-rushing DE who can also defend the run would make a lot of sense. Furthermore, the situation with Marcus Trufant's contract is more or less the same as Nate Clements, a heavy handed contract for a quality player that the team won't just won't tolerate. Plus the lack of a legit Nickel-corner is also a concern, so picking up a tall athletic corner wouldn't be a bad idea.

First Post

       Alright, let me first explain why I decided to write this Blog other than my roommate calling me out; I'm a HUGE Sports fan (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) and writing about the subjective world of sports just comes naturally. Secondly, I have been obsessed with the NFL Draft since 1999.

        Of course I remember previous drafts and who was drafted, however it was the 2000 NFL Draft, featuring the likes of: Peter Warrick, Courtney Brown & LaVarr Arrington that really caught me, I clearly remember reading the ESPN Magazine cover of the three. Running late to middle school classes and memorizing the "Expert" Mel Kiper's Mock Draft so I could explain to my father why the Raiders should look to build around their core or trade up to capitalize on their lack of talent. The whole article breathed of potential and as a sports fan the most dangerous thing next to faith... is hope; and hope for the new season was exactly what the NFL Draft ushered in.

        As for making Mock's, I've been designing my private Mock's for the last ehh... 7yrs. Pouring over player stats, character profiles, position templates, team needs and even averaging each team's decision-makers based on a 5yr point system. Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm a 'Sports Nerd' and the NFL Draft is like my 'Homecoming,' so you should read because it'll be chalk-full of useless football info and cheesy sound bites.

Cheers & Happy Reading,

-S

 (Oh and here's a pic of my kid brother and I @ the Super Bowl, celebrating the win)