2008 DRAFT 

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NFC SOUTH TEAM NEEDS
by Jay Goldberg

ATL          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Redman, Harrington and Leftwich are all best off as backups.  This team badly needs to bring on a young quarterback.
RB  Dunn is still effective, but is aging and could be moved in the offseason.  Norwood is very fast, puts up good numbers, but hasn't been used as much as his talent and stats indicate he should be used.  He may be a career backup, or he could take a Fargas-like step next year and finally show he's a legit #1 back.  In any case the Falcons need to add a quality runner.
WR  White finally showed the talent I expected from him.  Jenkins looks like he's peaked as a quality #3.  Horn, who was new to the team, talked as though he was a senior team leader.  He isn't and he's past his prime.  Robinson has potential.  The Falcons will add another receiver to their mix in the offseason.
TE Crumpler's knee problems could continue next year.  Milner has the potential to develop into a good player.  Blakley is a good backup.  Crumpler-insurance could be added if a player is available at the right price or right spot on the draft.
OL  No unit was f****d up by Petrino more than the offensive line.  The team went from an effective run-blocking unit to a bad unit in all areas.  There are some good players still on hand, but look for Atlanta to bring on a left tackle and a guard to compete for playing time immediately.
DL Anderson didn't have the impact I and the Falcons expected.  Don't give up on him yet.  Abraham is a force (expected), and stayed on the field (unexpected).  Don't count on that again next year.  Coleman is a good player who should come back from injury and play well next year.  Lewis is another player comin g back from injury who will help next season.  This unit has good depth at tackle, but can use better depth at end.
LB The Falcons have good linebackers, but most of them are best on the weak side.  Boley is a star at SAM.  Look for Atlanta to bring in a true middle linebacker and sort through Williams, Brooking and Nicholas for the WILL.
DB If the Falcons keep Hall (and they should) he and Houston will form an excellent starting duo at corner.  Look for Houston to get better in year two.  Irons may develop into a good nickel, but he may not.  Another corner should be added.  Milloy keeps on keeping on, but he is getting older.  Stone is a solid a young player behind him.  Croker is a free agent.  Williams has yet to find his niche, but free safety could be it.  Atlanta will probably bring in a free safety who can challenge for a starting job. 
ST A kicker is needed.  Old man Andersen is reliable short, but no longer can make long kicks.  A punt returner could also be added, especially if Hall is traded.

 

CAR          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  After the "Carr-wreck", maybe the Panthers will appreciate Delhomme more.  Speaking of more, Moore showed some skills and should be Delhomme's backup next year.  The Panthers also like Basanez.  If a QB drops in the draft or if an intriguing veteran gets cut the Panthers will take a shot, otherwise they'll stick with what they have.
RB Hello ... is anybody there .... it's time to give the ball to DeAngelo Williams 20+ times a game.  I can see the Panthers cutting Foster and bringing in both a veteran looking for a home and a player in the draft.
WR  Carter and Colbert are both free agents.  That's okay because neither is the answer opposite Smith.  The Panthers need a starter and at least one backup who can compete for the third receiver role.  
TE KIng and Rosario are fine players.  There is no great urgency to upgrade.  However, if the Panthers can add a dominate tight end it would take some of the heat off Smith.  Just look at what Witten does in tandem with Owens.
OL Gross and Wharton are free agents.  The Panthers will have to re-sign them or bring on some players to compete for their jobs.  Even of they come back the Panthers will look to upgrade their line.
DL The Panthers need an end to play opposite Peppers.  Johnson could develop into a good #3.  With Lewis and Moorehead free agents, depth at tackle may also be needed.
LB Despite re-signing Diggs, the Panthers need a WILL linebacker.  Beason and Davis a re solid at the MIKE and SAM.  Depth is also needed.
DB Carolina has three good corners.  Harris played well at strong safety but drafting a young player to push him would be a good idea.  Cooper was fine at free safety, but an upgrade would help the defense.
ST Kasay is still effective but he no longer can boom kickoffs.  Competition will be brought in for Baker.  The Panthers need a better return man so they can forget about even being tempted to use Smith.

NO          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Brees is a solid starter.  Martin is a free agent so the team needs to resign him, or bring in another backup.  Palko is not a bad #3 who could develop into a good backup quarterback.
RB  The need here depends on how well McAllister comes back from injury.  Bush will need some time to become a full time starter.  He may grow into a Brian Westbrook type of player.  To do that he will have to commit to the weight room and become a better runner inside the tackles.  Thomas is a keeper.  Stecker gets it done.  
WR  Colston is All Pro.  Patten is a nice receiver but if an upgrade can be secured it would help.  Meachem could be that guy, but may need a year contributing in multiple receiver sets.  Henderson flashes big-time potential, but has inconsistent hands.  Moore has the look of a long time, valuable #4 receiver.  Copper is a valuable end of the roster type player.
TE Johnson can catch, but is hurt a lot.  Campbell is coming off injury, but is best served as a #2.  Miller, once a one-dimensional receiving threat is an improved blocker and a valuable reserve.  If a top tight end can be brought in, it would represent an upgrade.
OL  The Saints line did an excellent job protecting Brees.  It's hard to know if the drop off in run blocking was due to the line regressing a bit, or McAllister's injury.  The Saints also have good depth.  If a player the Saints' believe can be a dominate LG or RT, they could pull the trigger.  Otherwise, the team will just bring in competition for camp.
DL A deep and talented unit needs Grant and Smith to rebound and get more sacks next year.  A third end who can rush the passer should be added.  The team has good depth at tackle.
 LB The trio of Futija, Simoneau and Shanle just doesn't strike fear in opposing teams.  All are solid players, Futija more than that, but a stud in the middle and a sideline-to-sideline force at the WILL are needed.
DB This is a case where the sum of the parts is not better than the whole.  When looked at individually, you would think the unit would perform better than it does.  To correct that, a top corner should be brought in to pair with McKenzie or Young, and the short-statured David should be relegated to the nickel.  At safety Harper and Bullocks look like a good young tandem.  However, the unit may be best served if a cagey veteran was paired with one of the youngsters.
ST A third kicker could be brought in to compete with Mare and Gramatica.  Punter, long-snapper, and the return game are in good hands.

TB          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  A deep unit with Garcia, McCown, Gradkowski and Simms.  However, with Gruden as coach, this doesn't mean he won't bring in another quarterback.  He never seems satisfied with what he's got.
RB  I like Caddy but he just can't stay healthy so he can't be relied on.  Graham played well in his absence but is one of those running backs you can win with, but you are constantly on the lookout for a more explosive player.  Like Cadillac Williams.  Pittman is an effective back-up but he is becoming too injury prone.  Look for the Bucs to bring in a runner who can either compete to start or can be an explosive change-of-pace to Graham should Caddy not be ready.
WR  Galloway and Hilliard have to be the oldest pair of starting receivers inn the league.  Galloway should remain a starter, but Hilliard needs to be a #3.  The Bucs need a young stud to upgrade this unit.  They could also use another receiver to compete for a backup spot.
TE I like Smith and believe he is on his way to being a top NFL tight end.  Bechte can block.  Stevens is a good player, but with him on board there is always a need for depth because he could be gone in 60 seconds.
OL  Wade is a free agent.  If he leaves the team will need a center.  At tackle and guard the team has a good young nucleus that should get better and Petitgout coming back from injury.
DL The team has a nice mix of veterans and young players.  A run-stuffing nose tackle with size could be brought on to backup and challenge Hovan. 
LB Camp bodies fighting for one, maybe two backup spots is all that is needed.  The starting trio is set and Black is on board to replace Brooks when (if?) he finally slows down.
DB Another strong unit.  A corner and a safety for depth is all that is needed.
ST Another solid unit.  If a dynamic return man is available, he could be brought in, although Spurlock certainly raised some eyebrows in that regard.