2008 DRAFT 

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AFC WEST TEAM NEEDS
by Jay Goldberg

DEN          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Cutler appears on his way to being a very a good NFL quarterback.  Ramsey, a former number, has starting experience and is a solid backup.  Hackney is fine as #3, but competition could be brought in for that spot.
RB  If a player the Broncos believe can be a full time difference-maker falls into their lap, they will gladly add that player.  Otherwise, Young and Hall are coming back, and Henry will be given a shot again if he comes back at the right price.  Bell, was moved to fullback, but had good moments two years ago and could get another shot at tailback if needed.
WR  Walker wants out and if the Broncos grant him his wish they will need a starter opposite star receiver Marshall.  Stokley is a solid #3 but has had trouble staying on the field throughout his career.  Martinez could fill in for Stokley if needed, but other options could be explored as well.
TE Very strong and deep unit.  Graham is the blocker, Scheffler is the pass catcher.   Both are very good at their trades.   Jackson has the look of a good receiving tight end as well.
OL  With Lepsis retiring, the Broncos need a tackle.  If possible, a starting left tackle.  If not, a player who can challenge on the right side.  With Hamilton and Nalen coming back, the Broncos have good depth inside.  Harris, a player with some question marks, is currently the team's first tackle off the bench.
DL Despite not liking the Broncos' selection of Moss in round one last season, I like the young talent the Broncos are accumulating on their line.  I loved the selection of Crowder and said he would be a better player for Denver than Moss, especially since Dumervil has similar skills to Moss and is proven.  Crowder, Dumervil and Thomas are three young players who will only get better.  McKinley and Engleberger are reliable, but unspectacular veterans.  Another young tackle and possible upgrades on the bench are the needs here.
LB I thought the Broncos would give up on the Williams in the middle move early in the season.  The didn't, and he played well at times, but the Broncos would be much better served with him outside and bringing in a stud for the middle.  Gold didn't play as well in his second stint with Denver as did the first time and Webster is an okay, but replaceable starter.  The Broncos like what they saw in Winborn at the end of the year, but he has flashed sic skills in the past but has never held onto a starting job long term.
DB The Broncos have as solid a foursome at corner as any team in the league (Bailey, Bly, Foxworth and Paymah).  At safety,  Abdullah had some good moments and some not so good moments, but he is young and has potential.  There is a question as to whether Lynch will be back.  He still plays well, but a younger, faster safety could be tempting.  Look for the Broncos to bring in a safety whether or not Lynch comes back to compete with Lynch and Ferguson who is returning from injury.
ST Elam is a free agent, the punting situation is a mess, and the return game is in capable hands, but a game-breaker would be an upgrade.

 

KC          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  I know I surprised a lot of you with this grade.  However, I like Croyle and believe he will develop into a good NFL quarterback.  In addition, Huard is as good as it gets as a backup quarterback.  Finally, I like Greene in college and thought he had a chance to develop into, at worst, a quality backup.  Between him and Thigpen, the Chiefs should have a developmental third quarterback as well.
RB I find it hard to believe that Johnson is done.  But if he is, Smith showed he can carry the load.  Battle is a big, strong kid who runs the forty in the 4.3's.  He is worth holding onto.  Kansas city, does need a blocking fullback.  The tandem of converted linebacker/converted tight end needs to be upgraded.
WR  Bowe was great in year one and I expect that to continue.  Webb has skills, but may be best served as the third receiver.  It may be time to part ways with Kenneson.  The Chiefs need a receiver who could start opposite Bowe and another to battle Parker and Sippio for a roster spot.
TE No, this is not for Gonzalez.  He is still as good as it gets.  However, an upgrade over Dunn as the blocking tight end could be addressed.  I like Allen's potential as a receiving tight end.
OL This unit needs to be torn down and rebuilt.  At least one tackle and one guard need to be added.  If Niswanger is used at guard, a center could be added also.
DL Allen is a free agent and needs to be signed because there is no replacement on the roster for the Chiefs' best lineman.  Hali slumped some and played more at the level I expected him to play, which is an okay starter, but a replaceable one.  Boone played well at tackle.  Tyler could join him in the starting lineup next year.  A backup end is needed, depth at tackle could also be addressed.
LB Johnson play ranges from superb to average average.  He may need a bit more consistency, but he is a solid pro.  Harris does the job in the middle, but is a player who can be improved on.  Edwards is solid but aging.  After all these years, I guess the Chiefs don't believe Fox is starter material.  At one point I thought he would be a good player.  A young player to eventually replace Edwards and an upgrade for Harris could be added in the offseason.
DB Law may be gone this offseason, Surtain next offseason.  Sapp is steady but best served as a nickel.  Therefore, at least one corner is needed, maybe two.  The Chiefs' young safeties are improving but not there yet.  The Chiefs should and will stick with them for at least one more year.  If Wesley is let go, a backup safety for depth will need to be added.
ST Medlock failed last year.  That was as much a surprise to me as it was to the Chiefs.  However, once again they need a kicker.  Drummond, once a top return man, seems to have lost his mojo, so a return man is also a need.

OAK          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Next year will be Russell's year.  If McCown returns, the backup quarterback spot will be in good hands.  If not, competition will be brought in for Walter.  Culpepper will probably not be back.
RB  Fargas is a free agent.  If he leaves I'm not convinced Bush and Rhodes will be enough.  Jordan will likely be cut.  The Raiders need to bring back Fargas, or bring in another player capable of starting. 
WR  Porter is a free agent and it may be time for him to leave.  Curry is a solid pro, but not a #1 receiver.  Dwight is always on the shelf.  Higgins is a better return man than receiver.  McFoy could surprise.  The Raiders need two receivers, one who coold be a legit #1 for young Russell.
TE Miller played well as a rookie and will only get better.  Depth behind him is questionable.
OL  This is an improving unit that can get with the players on hand but could use an upgrade at tackle. 
DL Burgess is a force.  He was banged up early in the year but came on at the end. Warren has mad skills but is inconsistent.  Still, he has to be in there. A tackle is needed to push and possibly replace Sapp.  In fact consistent high level play from their tackles is needed to keep blockers off linebackers Morrison and Howard.  The Richardson/Clemons combo is okay opposite Burgess, but Clemons is a free agent.  If he leaves a pass rushing end will also need to be added.
LB I like Morrison and Howard, although the Raiders need to keep offensive lineman from engulfing them.  Both Thomas and Williams are okay at SAM, but an upgrade to a big linebacker to pair with Morrison and Howard would be a good idea.
DB The Raiders are fine at cornerback.  Asomugha play at a all pro level, and Routt and Washington have flashed potential.  I also believe Bowie can develop into a quality corner.  At safety, Huff should be moved to free safety and a tough-nosed strong safety with good tackling skills should be added. 
ST Lechler made the Pro Bowl, but Janikowski continues to be inconsistent.  Carr also has flashed good return ability, but has not taken the next step whenre teams fear him.  Higgins was suppose to be the next big thing in the return game, but that didn't happen in '07.

SD          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Rivers proved himself to be one tough cookie and played his best ball in the playoffs.  Volek is a free agent and will "bolt" only if he can't get an opportunity to start elsewhere (how's that for a play on words, twisting the meaning).  Whitehurst may not be ready to be the primary backup.  So if Volek leaves, an experienced quarterback will probably be added.
RB  LT2 is as good as it gets as starting running back.  However, long time sub Turner is a free agent and he will find a team that will, at least, give him an opportunity to start.  Sproles is explosive, but does not have the size to be an every down back if LT2 gets hurt.  The Chargers need to add a backup for LT2.
WR  Suddenly, the Chargers have an excellent starting tandem at wideout in Chambers and Jackson.  I called Davis a reach on draft day and I stand by that comment.  Between Parker, Davis and Naanee the Chargers could find a reliable #3, but look for them to add a receiver between round 3 and 5 in the draft to compete for that spot.
TE Gates, Manumaleuna and Chandler give comprise a solid unit top to bottom for San Diego.
OL  The Titan's line goes six deep with solid to star players.  However, backup inside (guard and center) are needed, and possibly a fourth tackle.
DL The starters are solid, but a young nose tackle to rotate with, and eventually take over after Williams should be added. 
LB No holes in the starting unit, young reserves with potential sitting in the wings.  A nice unit.
DB The Chargers have an excellent pair of corners.  With Florence likely to leave, however, there are questions regarding Gregory and Gordon as the nickel.  McCree should be replaced by Weddle next year.  Hart is an underrated player who is a solid pro, but a stud strong safety could make this unit the best starting secondary in the league.  At a minimum if McCree is gone, a backup a safety will have to be brought on board.
ST Solid all around unit, kicker, punter, and return man.