Bringing back the old topic but some teams have addressed some of the problems during free agency so it might need to be updated. I'll start with the Ravens. OT Clearly the #1 priority with Ogden comtemplating retirement and not much depth behind Adam Terry who is slated to start next season at either left or right tackle. OG Jason Brown has taken the starting LG spot and the right is still open to Keydrick but can be upgraded. LB Though Jarret Johnson is taking AD's spot at OLB, we might need to draft for depth if Dan Cody gets injured like he has the last two seasons and the ominous question about Ray Lewis's remaining years with the Ravens. Depth as well. QB Quarterback for the future if Kyle Boller is released. CB Samari Rolle made it clear that he has lost what it took to be a #2 corner and no other CB on the Ravens roster has the ability to start. DT Aubrayo Franklin left via free agency and need depth if someone get injured.
Panthers: 1. Safety- Mike Minter is retiring next offseason. And the only other safety on the roster is Nate Salley, a 5th rounder who spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad. 2. TE- Kris Magnum retired, so 280 pound micheal gaines is the panthers only TE. He isnt a very good pass catcher, but a very solid blocker. 3. LB- With Dan Morgan with career threating head issues, ILB needs to be addressed. Top backups Chris Draft and Vinny Circuiu have left in free agency. Also OLB needs to be addressed, Na'ill Diggs is only signed up to next year. 4. DE- Mike Rucker is near the end of his career, and panthers want to keep Stanely McClover as just a pass rusher. 5. WR- This selection could be 2nd on the panthers list if Keyshawn retires. He is mad that Dan Henning, the former panthers OC got fired.
<u>New England Patriots</u> ILB They addressed the OLB position with the signing of Adalius Thomas. A run stuffer in the middle is a pressing need with the aging LB corp. Patrick Willis appears to be out of reach unless a trade up is in the works. So if I were BB/Pioli my target would be set on David Harris & Stewart Bradley. There are very few LB prospects who fit the mold of a MLB in the 3-4 but these 2 have the size & show proper technique. S Aging vet Rodney Harrson & young stud Eugene Wilson have both struggled to stay healthy in the past 2 seasons. Drafting an impact player with the versatility to play CB as well as this position is critical. Brandon Meriweather fits the role, but his character issues could scare the Pats. Eric Weddle is another name they may be interested in if they decide to trade out of the 1st round. CB With Asante Samuel's contract issue unresolved the Pats may need to address this position early. They struggled with TE coverage last season so getting a CB with size seems to be the way to go. Marcus McCauley fits that mold, but his weak Senior season may be a red flag for New England. A guy I like on day two of the draft is CJ Gaddis of Clemson. His versatility to play CB & S should interest the Pats. RB Not an immediate need IMO, but with the loss of Dillon they may want to get someone to spell Maroney on occasion. Lorenzo Booker, Tony Huny & Darius Walker are all options in the middle rounds. Personally I'd like to see them take a flyer on Terry Cauley of UConn in the later rounds. He's small, but would be a great weapon as a returner IMO. WR I know they made many additions to this position via FA, but the biggest additon, Stallworth is probably not going to be here beyond the 07 season, so future considerations should be made. Chad Jackson appears to be a bust, but who knows. At 24 I really think the Pats should take the best player available regardless of position with the exception of QB of course. So if Robert Meachem were to fall to them I don't think they should hesitate to take a great talent like him. Another name to consider late in the draft is Courtney Taylor. He could be possesion receiver we're missing since David Givens departure. OL Once again not a pressing need, but depth is always a concern here. Players who are flexible with their position will be targets of New England. So guys like James Marten, Brandon Frye & Chris Denman.
Vikings Needs Quarterback - Childress feels confident with his two quarterbacks, but the fact is, he is going into another season with two very unproven signal callers. Playing the West Coast offense requires a confident, intelligent, and competent QB, and there is really no way to know whether or not he has one in Jackson. Bringing in a top prospect through the draft would be an obvious need if available. Wide Receiver - The Vikings lack of a receiver has been very well documented. Childress is not a fan of drafting a receiver in the first round, but if they have the opportunity to move down to a mid-round pick, they would be silly not to pick up one of the very talented receivers in the first round (I'm crossing my fingers for Meachum). DE - Another huge area of need, although the Vikings could find themselves in a great position here if James comes back healthy and if Udeze plays up to his potential, this could be a dominant line. OT & OG - Minnesota has a horribly unbalanced line. The left side is incredible, but the right side is extremely weak. The result? Chestor Taylor is constantly running to his left. I should really add coaching to this list of needs, but I don't think any change is going to happen this year or next year. I looked at the Vikings schedule and had trouble coming up with 3 wins next year. Needless to say its going to be a dark year for Minnesota fans.
Packers needs: 1. Running Back - Green is gone and our RB situation is tenuous at best. This is the most glaring need right now. 2. Tight End - Unless Bubba Franks suddenly has a "come to Jesus" year, the TE position right now is still pretty shaky. 3. Safety - Marquand Manuel wasn't the answer. It's possible that as guys come back from injuries we could be okay, but it's doubtful. Would be nice to have some draft help. 4. Cornerback - Unless the Pack signes Tory James, it would be nice to draft someone to either play #3 or at least for depth for the future as Al Harris and Charles Woodson aren't getting any younger. 5. Wide Receiver - The Packers refuse to give up on Fergie, but I just don't see him coming out of nowhere and surprising people. Jennings and Driver are good, but that's pretty much the end of the talent pool right now. That's off the top of my head. I'm sure Porky will have a much more in-depth post soon. He lives for this stuff.
I agree with all of those PA I think Tight end and Safety are interchangeable though, whichever one has the BPA should go first IMO.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'>Unless the Pack signes Tory James</div> Sorry the Pats just got him.
