2008 DRAFT 

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AFC NORTH TEAM NEEDS
by Jay Goldberg

BAL          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  McNair's skills are on the decline.  Boller appears to be nothing more than a backup.  It's hard to imagine that Smith will be anything more than a quality backup as well.  I say part ways with Boller and bring in a quarterback to be a starter this year or next.
RB  McGahee had an excellent first year with Baltimore.  Smith is a tease.  He has skills, but hasn't been as good as hoped.  Anderson is a solid pro but is used little.  There are a lot of change-of-pace, third down backs in this draft and the Ravens should grab one.
WR  Clayton took a step back this year.  I think he'll turn it around next year.  Mason is steady, but not a game-breaker.  Look for Williams to have a very good year next year.  Darling has his moments.  A reliable receiver with good hands and quickness to groom as a third wideout to play behind Clayton and Williams down the line should be added while Mason is still effective.  Receivers take time to develop.
TE The team has Todd Heap and get a grade of "need".  Huh?  Heap is starting to miss too much time and get nicked up and play at less than full strength too often.  It is time to bring in a top tight end prospect who could allow the Ravens to let Heap walk when he becomes a free agent.  
OL  Ogden could retire.  The options to replace him on the roster are okay, but an upgrade would help.  The rest of the Ravens' line is solid, with a good balance of youth and experience.  Extra bodies to compete for backup spots is always a good idea.
DL Pryce is in the same boat as Heap.  Too much time on the shelf.  He is a good player, however, when he is on the field.  Ngata, Gregg ans OLB/DE Suggs are all very good.  The Raven's should bring an end who can push Pryce to start.  They could also use some depth.
LB Scott didn't play as well this year as last.  I wouldn't give up on him yet.  Lewis is still solid against the run.  Johnson was okay replacing Thomas, but an upgrade should be looked for.  Barnes could be the guy.  An upgrade for Johnson and a young inside linebacker are needed.
DB McAllister and Rolle are good when healthy, but they both had health problems last year.  Rolle's may continue into 2008.  Their depth behind these two is suspect.  The Raven's need a couple of corners, one who could push to start, one who can play as a nickel or dime.  At safety, Reed is All Pro, but a player to push Landry could be added.
ST There are no major needs here assuming Figurs improves as I and the Ravens expect.  Camp competition is all that will be brought in.

 

CIN          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Palmer is a top tier quarterback.  I like Rowe's potential.  He should grow into a solid backup.  In the meantime, there are teams that have a worse situation than Ryan Fitzpatrick.
RB The word I would use for the Bengals' running back situation is mediocre, barring a major return to form by Rudi Johnson.  Watson is an overachiever who is a perfect backup.  One who can step in and play well when the starter gets hurt and one who catches the ball well.  Perry cannot stay healthy, and it's time to cut the chord.  Dorsey and Irons are maybes.  The Bengals need to draft a homerun threat at running back; best case scenario, one who starts; but a rotation player will be fine.
WE  A difficult position to grade.  On the surface this is a major strength.  However, the great chemistry  with Palmer and his starting receivers seemed to take a hit both on and off the field.  Third receiver Henry is a mistake away for a year suspension.  The rest of the Bengals' receivers are fine bottom of the roster/special team performers, but are not top tier talents.  Personally, I would add a receiver with the potential to play a big role in the offense if needed.
TE This position has been a "red" category the last three years, so a "blue" is an improvement.  The improvement is because of Coates, a free agent I predicted would stick.  Kelly is a good blocker, but as a receiver, is not a player defenses have to account for.  I still believe a major threat at tight end would put this passing offense in the Cowboys/Colts class.  However, with Coates they may have at least found a solid receiving tight end.
OL Injuries hurt and helped the Bengals' line in 2007.  They found some solid players, but there line took some time to gel.  With Andrews a free agent and Anderson coming back from injury, a tackle needs to be added for depth.  An versatile inside lineman, with size, who can play guard and center would also help.
DL Smith is a free agent, and both he and the Bengals may be better off if he moves on.  He plays hard, but hasn't been able to be a consistent pass rush threat in this defense.  Geathers is worth a another look at the other end.  At tackle, Peko is a keeper, but Thornton should be a rotation player at tackle, not a starter.  Robinson is also a free agent and he is a capable backup all along the line.  Net, net, the Bengals need a starting end, a starting tackle, and a backup end.
LB Injuries wiped out this position during the season, free agency might do the same this offseason.  Look for Brooks to be given first shot in the middle; and Marshall (if he returns healthy) or Johnson (if he resigns) to play on the weak side.  Jones (also a free agent) is another option on the weak side, but he is better served as a quality backup.  Jeanty and Henderson (coming off injury) are the current possibilities on the strong side.  The Bengals need to bring in at least one linebacker who could start (strong side), and, possibly two (maybe weak side).  If Johnson leaves, a backup middle linebacker could also be added.  However, a sleeper on their roster I like is Corey Mays.
DB I like the young players the Bengals have on this unit.  Hall and Jefferson is a good young corner tandem.  Ndukwe and White played well at safety at the end of the year.  They will make Jackson expendable, and will soften the blow if Williams leaves in free agency.  O'Neal is a good nickel, but he wants to be released so he can get an opportunity to start elsewhere.  Depending on how the roster shakes out a corner and safety for depth and competition could be added.
ST The Bengals return men are okay, but of a dangerous game changer can be brought in to add a dimension to the team.  

CLE          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Anderson had a breakout year and the Browns also have last year's #1 pick Quinn.  Only an arm for camp will be needed unless Anderson is moved.
RB  Lewis had a very good year, which was a surprise for me.  However, he is a free agent.  Neither Wright nor Harrison will be able to step in as a starter should Lewis leave.  So the Browns have to re-sign Lewis, or bring in new starter.
WR  Edwards is a stud.  Jurevicius is an excellent possession receiver but he has had trouble staying on the field at times during his career.  The bench has no one of particular interest.  The Browns need two reseivers.
TE Winslow is a top starter, Heiden a top sub who would fill in well if Winslow went down.  Dinkins isn't a bad #3.
OL  The Browns line played very well in 2007.  If Bentley comes back that will be a bonus and add to this deep unit.  If McKinney leaves in free agency a guard could be brought in to fight for a roster spot.  
DL Roye is in decline.  Robaire Smith is solid, but not great.  Rookie Shaun Smith was a surprise, but may be better as a backup who can rotate in at nose and end.  The Browns need to bring in a starter, it could be a nose tackle with S Smith kicking out to end if needed or an end.  It's possible they will bring in two new starters.  Depth is also a need.
LB This s a tough unit to analyze.  On the surface, it looks strong.  Jackson and Davis are solid players, but can be pushed around by big lineman.  Williams has shown promise inside, but needs to be more consistent.  On the outside, McGinest is aging, and Wimbley's sack dropped significantly.  I also keep waiting for McMillan to step up.  He's a player I thought fit perfectly into this defense.  My best guess is that the Browns will bring in a player or two compete for jobs, but I could also see them going after a stud to give their defense an identity.
DB The Browns' are heading in the right direction in their secondary.  Pool and Jones are a pair of good young safeties.  Bodden and Wright, had good and bad moments, but showed enough to be counted on in 2008.  McDonald also had his good moments at corner.  The Browns will bring in a top corner if one falls into their lap, but most likely will just bring in players to compete for backup spots.
ST The only reason this spot was not graded as "no need" is because punter Zastudil had a down year.  The Browns will bring in a punter to push him in camp, but will, most likely, count on a bounce-back year.  Oh yeah, Cribbs is a special special teams player.

PIT          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  With Roethlisberger and Batch, the Steelers are in excellent shape at quarterback.  However, this may be the year that Pittsburgh invests in a quarterback late in the draft to develop as a future backup for Big Ben.
RB  Parker is coming off of an injury, and Davenport had good moments and not-so-good moments as his backup.  Davis could expand his role in 2008.  Look for the Steelers to add a big back who can be used in short yardage and goal line situations and challenge Davenport for the primary backup role.
WR  Holmes came on strong and is on his way to becoming an elite receiver.  Ward is still very effective.  Wilson and Washington are good, speedy backups, but a quick slot receiver could be added.  It was hoped Reid would play that role, but it hasn't happened yet.
TE Miller is one of the best tight ends in the league.  Spaeth can catch and is a willing blocker.  Tuman is a free agent.  Dekker is on hand to replace him.  If Tuman leaves, a tight end will be brought in to challenge Dekker.
OL  This unit underachieved in 2007 and Faneca and top backup Starks are free agents.  The Steelers could draft a center or guard to replace Mahan (Simmons could move to center), a guard to replace Faneca, and a tackle to challenge Colon (right side).
DL If Smith comes back healthy, this unit is fine.  Keisel is a bit undersized but McBean may challenge him in camp.  Hampton is still a solid run-stuffer.  The Steelers could use depth at both end and nose.
LB Still a strength for Pittsburgh.  Harrison was great in his first year as a starter.  Haggans is a free agent who will be shown the door so Woodley can start.  Farrior is still very effective.  Foote will have to hold off Timmons to keep his starting job in 2008.  The Steelers may look for some backups, but that's it.
DB Townsend, Taylor, McFadden and Gay are a nice foursome heading into next year.  However, if a stud corner can be secured the group could be upgraded.  Polamalu, Smith and Carter are good safeties and Clark is expected back.
ST Outside of Reed, this area needs to improve in 2008.  Sepulveda, a fourth round pick last year, showed enough to be the punter again.  Bodies need to be added who can play on coverage teams, and a return man will be added.  Rossum and Reid are replaceable.