2008 DRAFT 

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AFC EAST TEAM NEEDS
by Jay Goldberg

BUF          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB Edwards is going to be a good one.  Losman may be moved in the offseason.  An experienced backup would be a plus.
RB Young, deep and talented.  Lynch and Jackson are an excellent one-two, and Wright has promise as well.
WR  It's time to get a real weapon to play opposite future star Lee Evans.  Reed and Parrish are fine options for the slot. A big, physical receiver is needed.
TE Royal and Gaines are serviceable.  However, if the Bills can bring in a tight end who can stretch the field and become a focus of opposing team's defenses, it will only open up the field for Evans.
OL An improving unit that played well.  If Whittle comes back from injury he will be a valuable reserve. A young center/guard could be added for depth as well as a backup tackle to push Chambers.
DL The Bills have waited long enough for Kelsay to become a pass rushing force.  He should be a #3 DE.  Schobel, would benefit playing opposite a player who teams need to pay attention to.  The Bills have young talent at defensive tackle, but could use a massive run-stuffer to add to their mix.
LB I like the Bills linebackers.  Crowell is proving to be a soild tackle-hound.  Posluszny should come back from injury and be a good middle linebacker.  Ellison is okay, but has the physical skills to continue to develop.  DiGiorgio played surprisingly well after Posluszny got hurt.  What this team needs, however, is a pass rushing linebacker to play in the nickel.
DB This unit is a stud cornerback away from being one of the best young secondaries in the league.  Don't get me wrong, Greer played well and the Bills will be fine with him starting, but make him the nickel and pair a stud with McGee, Whitner and Simpson (a player I loved in the draft who was a steal for Buffalo) and the result would be something very special.  Leonard, Wilson, Webster, Wendling, Youboty, and others are on hand to make this a deep unit for the Bills.
ST The green rating comes only because the Bills might look at bringing in a long-snapper to push Neill.  Their kicking and return games are in good hands.

MIA          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  I thought the Dolphins reached for Beck in the draft last year and I'm betting Parcells will feel the same.  Long term he could be a solid backup.  The Fins need a starter.
RB  If Brown comes back healthy; if Ricky Williams comes back healthy and committed, this could be a team strength.  However, that's a lot of ifs so the Dolphins need to add a body for insurance.  Booker's role could expand next year.
WR  I'm in the minority, but I like the potential of Ted Ginn Jr.  However, after him, there isn't much.  Booker could help a veteran team as a #3 or #4, but is of no real use for Miami.  Hagan and Camarillo are bottom of the roster types.  Miami needs two or three receivers.
TE As bad as the Dolphins' receiver situation is, they are in even worse shape at tight end.  Peele is a backup type.  The others should all be gone.
OL  This unit has some players that could survive the purge, but look for the line to be rebuilt over the next few years.  Hadnot is an UFA.  If not, he is one player who could have found a niche in the new regime.  Look for a big left tackle, and one or two guards to be added this year or next.
DL The Dolphins have some players here who could hold the fort while Parcells concentrates on other positions.  with all the needs on this team he may have no choice.  Taylor will be moved to OLB permanently.  However, If the team can find some big bodies they will and should be added.
LB A dominator at outside linebacker has always been the top priority for Parcells' teams.  He could give Taylor and Porter a shot while he rebuilds elsewhere first.  Inside Crowder could be a long term guy for Parcells.  Another inside linebacker will be added.  Zack Thomas doesn't fit this defense.
DB Of all the units the Dolphins have on defense, their secondary is the one spot where they could field an acceptable unit with their current players.  Will Allen and Goodman at corner, and Jason Allen, Hill, Bell (if resigned) and Worrell battling for the two safety spots is acceptable.  However, an upgrade at corner and safety wouldn't be a surprise.
ST Feely is a solid kicker.  Fields improved during his rookie season, but look for the Fins to bring in someone to push him.  Ginn Jr and Booker are potential stars in the return game.  Denney is a steady snapper.

NE          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Brady is as good as it gets.  The Pats seem happy with Cassel, at least most of the time.  Gutierrez will get competition for his spot. 
RB  Maroney is a good young back.  Faulk, Morris and Evans provide quality depth.  The Pats may bring in a player to fight for a backup role.
WR  Moss, Stallworth and Gaffney are all free agents.  What the pats need here will depend on who they bring back.  I expect it will be Moss and Gaffney.
TE Watson is a very good tight end.  Brady is getting up in age.  Depth is needed at this position, in particular, a blocking tight end.
OL  The Pats offensive line had three Pro Bowlers, but was manhandled by the Giants.  If the Pats return the same line they will be fine.  However, if they can upgrade with a mobile player with better size, they will jump at the chance.
DL The Pats' starting defensive line is a strength.  Green is a good sub, but the line suffers when he starts.  Depth at nose tackle is also needed.
LB Thomas and Vrabel are two excellent starters who will be back.  Bruschi and Seau are free agents and getting up there in years.  The Pats are thin behind these four, except for Colvin who is coming back from injury and has a big price tag.  They need to add at least one new starter, even if Bruschi and Seau come back.  The Pats are in a position to add the best linebacker who fits their system since Thomas can play inside or outside.  They also need to add some young linebackers for depth.
DB Samuel, Gay and Wilson are free agents.  If Samuel and Gay leave, the team will need to add a corner who can start.  Meriweather backs up both corner and safety, but long term should be more dominate at free safety.  Even if just one of the two free agent corners leaves, the Pats will need to add a corner for depth (and one who could push Hobbs to start).  At safety, Harrison keeps plugging away, Sanders made good progress, and Meriweather is a future star.  A young backup safety could be added.  Harrison is old and has a history of injury.
ST The Pats are fine here, however, players to push the starters could be brought in for all.

NYJ          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  The grade here depends upon your view of Clemens future.  Pennington should be back to challenge him again.  My guess is either Pennington wins the job and the Jets look for a young QB again in '09, or Clemens wins the battle and Pennington is moved before the season.  While an upgrade is needed, it may not come in 2008.
RB  What can I say, I'm a Thomas Jones fan.  With Leon Washington also on hand, the Jets just need a third back, one who could serve as a short yardage and goal line runner.  A blocking fullback would also help Jones.
WR  Cotchery is improving and is ready to be a #1 wideout.  Coles' production was down but he could still have something left.   To be safe, the Jets need to bring in someone who can push him if not this year, certainly by next year.  Smith is a versatile player who is a good #3 slot receiver.  McCariens has been on the cusp of being let go the last two years.  It should happen this year.  Watch Clowney in camp next year.  He could be a nice surprise.
TE Baker is one of the most underrated receiving tight ends in the league.  Depth is needed.
OL  The Jets need a starting left guard, and could also use an upgrade at right tackle.  It's also time for Ferguson to be the stud left tackle he was drafted to be.
DL The Jets have some players but upgrades at end and nose tackle are needed.  Robertson is a good football player but he is not a good fit for a nose in a 3-4.  The Jets should trade him to a 4-3 team where he will excel.  Pouha could be the nose the Jets need, but they should bring in another player to challenge him.  Coleman is fine at end, but Ellis is also a better fit for the 4-3, but is needed as a pass rusher by the Jets.
LB In the 3-4 defense at least one dominating outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback is needed.  The Jets desperately need that guy. Oh yeah, and someone to play opposite him.  Inside Harris was a rookie find, while Barton remains solid.  Vilma is a third former defensive star not cut out for the 3-4.  He could be moved in the offseason.
DB Revis is a star in the making.  Poteat, who started opposite him, is better served as a nickel or dime back.  Therefore, the Jets need a corner to start opposite Revis.  Rhodes is one of the best safeties in the NFL.  Elam is an aggressive strong safety who could improve next year or could be cut.  Even with the "always waiting to break out" Eric Smith on hand to battle Elam, the Jets should bring in another safety to challenge for the starting job.
ST Nugent improved and had a good year, but does not have the leg to kick long field goals.  Competition in camp wouldn't hurt.  Graham was average and competition for him in camp is all but guaranteed.  With Washington, Miller, Revis, and even Clowney on hand, the Jets' return game is in good hands.