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2010 Team Needs
Prior to
free agency and the draft
By Jay Goldberg
AFC
WEST
DEN
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
The Broncos can win with
Orton, but Orton cannot make the Broncos win; if that makes
sense. Simms has talent, but it's been awhile since he
displayed it. |
| RB |
Moreno did as I
expected. He is a solid back, but not the top tier talent
the Broncos think he is. He lacks game-breaking speed.
Buckhalter continues to produce whenever he is given an
opportunity. A third running back could be added. |
| WR |
Marshall will be
gone. Royal has talent and could go back to being productive
next year if he plays in the slot. Stokely, McKinley and
possibly Lloyd could fill out reserve spots. The Broncos,
however, need a number one receiver. |
| TE |
Graham is a solid blocking
tight end. Scheffler is a good receiving tight end, but it
appears he is another player on the outs in Denver. |
| OL |
The Broncos are continuing
to get rid of the zone-blocking offensive lineman on its
roster. Weigmann has been let go and Hamilton, an UFA will
be allowed to walk. The Broncos need a guard and a center. |
| DL |
The Broncos have a decent
defensive line, but could use upgrades at end and on the nose. |
| LB |
The Broncos' linebackers
played well, especially Dumervil and Williams. Davis and
Hagans are reliable veterans who could be upgraded. I still
don't quick get how Ayers fits into this defense. In my mind
he is a 4-3 defensive end. |
| DB |
I like the Broncos'
cornerbacks. Bailey, Goodman and Smith are a very good
trio. At safety Dawkins played terrifically and still has
gas in his tank. Hill is okay at string safety and I
like the potential of both Bruton and Barrett. |
| ST |
Prater stepped up as the
Broncos kicker. Berger could be replaced. Royal is a
very good returner. |
KC
Major
need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Cassel played okay in his
first year as a starter and should improve as the talent around
him gets better. I was also glad to see Croyle, a player I
liked coming out of college, play well when called upon. |
| RB |
Charles was phenomenal
after taking over as the Chiefs' main ballcarrier. Williams
or battle have a shot to be a power back who compliments
Charles. However, a player could be brought in to challenge
them. |
| WR |
Bowe is a top talent.
Chambers played well but he is an UFA. If Chiefs need him or
someone not currently on its roster to start opposite Bowe.
Long and Wade are okay in the slot but an upgrade could be
secured. |
| TE |
Pope and especially Cottam
have upside but neither has grabbed a starting job and ran with it
when given opportunities. O'Connell also has the physical
skills to be successful. If a better option is available,
the Chiefs will explore it. |
| OL |
Albert is best served at
guard not tackle. Therefore, the Chiefs need a left tackle
so he can be moved to guard. They also need a center and
more depth. |
| DL |
Jackson, Dorsey and Magee
are three young players for end. However, Jackson needs to
improve, the Chiefs may be best served trading Dorsey to a team
that plays a 4-3, and Magee needs playing time. An upgrade
at nose is also needed. |
| LB |
A pass rushing outside
linebacker to pair with Hali is needed. Vrabel is best
served now as a part time player. Inside, Williams and Mays
are okay, but not star quality. what happened to Johnson? |
| DB |
Young corners Carr and
Flowers are a good tandem. Washington has upside.
Brown, played well, has a history of injuries and is an UFA.
McGraw is replaceable at free safety. |
| ST |
The Chiefs need an upgrade
at punt returner, and a kick returner now that Charles is too
important on offense to use there. |
OAK
Major
need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Russell is an enigma.
He has the skills, but appears to be happy to collect a big pay
check and not work hard. Gradkowski is scrappy but should be
a backup not a starter. |
| RB |
Fargas, McFadden and Bush
give the Raiders a talented three-headed option at running
back. Unless they move one of their three backs, the Raiders
have no need at running back. |
| WR |
Youngsters Murphy, Higgins,
and Schilens are NFL "roster-worthy", but none are top
talents. Heyward-Bey appears to be "Ted-Ginn-Jr.-light".
This team needs a number one receiver and a veteran receiver. |
| TE |
Miller is one of the better tight ends in the league. Stewart,
is a good blocker. |
| OL |
Green and backup Walker are
UFAs. In addition, Henderson would be better on the right
side. So a left tackle is needed, as is depth at guard and
possibly another tackle. |
| DL |
The Raiders starting
defensive line is solid. A player to compete with tackle
Warren, and provide depth could be added. |
| LB |
I like Morrison. The
Raiders are pushing him towards the door so a middle linebacker
will be needed. Scott played well when inserted as a
starter, but Howard, a RFA has been up and down, so a WILL to push
Howard could be added as well. |
| DB |
Asomugha and Chris Johnson
are a good cornerback tandem. Routt hasn't developed as
hoped but there is still time. The Raiders will look to add
a corner to compete for the nickel. At safety Branch was
terrific and Huff was improved. The Raiders surprise
second round selection last year, Mitchell, will have trouble
cracking the starting lineup |
| ST |
Punter Lechler, the best in
the biz. Janikowski is solid. However, with all the
speed on this team you would think they would have had a kick
returner who could at least average 20 yards a return (they
didn't), and a punt returner who could as least have averaged 6
yards a return (they didn't). |
SD
Major
need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Rivers, Volek and
Whitehurst are a very solid one, two, three. |
| RB |
It now looks like Sproles
will be back. However, this team needs a starter. |
| WR |
This is a solid unit with Jackson, Floyd, and Naanee. This doesn't even include former high draft pick
Craig Davis. However, a slot receiver could be added to
challenge Naanee. |
| TE |
Gates is top drawer.
However, Manumaleuna is an UFA. If he leaves a blocking
tight end will have to be added. |
| OL |
The line is solid, but of
upgrades at right guard and right tackle could be brought in. |
| DL |
This unit may be in a
little more trouble than many think. The team cut Williams
and hope to bring him back. Behind him Scott isn't the
answer and is an UFA and Martin is a big kid with upside but isn't
ready. At end, only Castillo would be considered a must have
starter. |
| LB |
This is a deep and talented
unit. Even if Merriman is allowed to walk, this unit is in
good shape. |
| DB |
There is talk that
Cromartie could be traded. Cason is ready to start, but a
player to compete with Hughes for the nickel would have to be
added. Weddle is a good player. The Chargers other
safeties are solid but unspectacular. An upgrade is
possible. |
| ST |
Kaeding and Scifres are
fine. Sproles is a great return man assuming he returns. |
NFC
WEST
ARZ
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
With Warner retired,
Leinart gets his chance. An insurance policy is needed. |
| RB |
Wells will be a star.
Hightower is surprisingly effective. Stephen-Howlings has
skills as well. |
| WR |
It appears that Boldin will
be traded. Even without Boldin this team is deep and
talented at receiver with Fitzgerald, Breaston and
Doucet. A receiver for depth may be added. |
| TE |
The Cardinal tight ends all
look good at times and replaceable at times. Patrick has the
biggest upside, Bechte is the best blocker. An upgrade is
very possible. |
| OL |
Gandy was suppose to
solidify left tackle, but he got hurt and is an UFA so the Cards
need a left tackle. In addition depth is needed, especially
a center who can push Sendlein. |
| DL |
Deep and talented at end,
the Cardinals are still waiting for Branch or Watson to become a
force on the nose. An upgrade at nose tackle is possible. |
| LB |
Dansby is an UFA and will
need to be replaced if he leaves. Hayes is solid.
Okeafor is an UFA but he is better as a DE in a 4-3 than an OLB in
3-4 anyway. Haggans is okay outside but replaceable.
This unit could look very different next year with up to three new
starters. |
| DB |
Rolle is an UFA and I'm not
sold on Johnson as his replacement. Wilson is a top strong
safety. Rodgers-Cromartie is a top starter, McFadden is
okay, but better served as a nickel so an upgrade is possible. |
| ST |
The Cardinals kicking and
punting games are fine. Stephen-Howlings is a good kick
returner. Breaston had a disappointing year as a punt
returner and a replacement makes sense if his responsibilities
increase at receiver. |
STL
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Think the Rams regret not
taking my advice and drafting Sanchez last last year? Bulgar
is suppose to be cut and Boller is an UFA leaving ???? |
| RB |
Jackson is one of the
better running backs in the league. Gado showed he can be a
capable backup. However, a speed option to play a few downs
and possibly in third and long could be added. |
| WR |
I like Avery but this is a
key year for him. Not for production since the Rams'
quarterback situation could be a mess, especially early, but for
staying on the field. Robinson and Gibson are also
keepers. However, if a true #1 receiver can be secured, the
Rams will grab him. |
| TE |
McMichael is an UFA and
would have needed to have been replaced anyway. |
| OL |
Ingocnito was cut so the
Rams need a guard, maybe two for depth. |
| DL |
Little is an UFA.
It's time to move Carricker to end and draft a nickel
rusher. Then upgrade defensive tackle. |
| LB |
Laurinaitis had a very good
rookie campaign. Vobora played well enough at SAM to be
given another year. However, an upgrade at WILL is needed. |
| DB |
The Rams have a good core
of young corners. At safety Atogwe and Butler form a solid
starting pair. |
| ST |
The Rams kicking/punting
game is a strength. Amendola proved to be an excellent return man. |
SF
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Smith is not the long term
answer at quarterback. I think the team would be better
served with Hill starting. He is an excellent game
manager. Long term they need a starter making Hill the
backup. |
| RB |
Gore is a top
starter. I'm not sure Coffee is the answer as his backup. |
| WR |
This is a solid, underrated
unit. Crabtree, Morgan, Hill, Zeigler and Jones are a nice
contingent. They can let UFA Battle walk. |
| TE |
Dvais and Walker are a
great one-two. Finley or Curtis are fine as a #3. |
| OL |
A right tackle and a
possible upgrade are guard are the 49ers' needs on its offensive
line. |
| DL |
This is a good unit that
even has a couple of players who they don't need but have room to
improve in Balmer and Mitchell. Depth at nose tackle could
be addressed. |
| LB |
This is another solid unit
with depth. If a top pass rusher can be brought on that
would help, but only a top guy. The team has enough solid
players. |
| DB |
Bly is an UFA and if he
leaves the team will need an additional corner to compete for
playing time. They could also use shut down corner.
Safety is a strength. |
| ST |
The 49ers could use a top
flight return man. |
SEA
Major need
Need
Upgrade possible
Depth/possible need
Not a need
| QB |
Hasselbeck is aging rapidly
and Wallace is not the future starter. The Seahawks need a quarterback
of the future. |
| RB |
Jones and Forsett are okay,
but not feared threats. An upgrade is possible. |
| WR |
Burleson is an UFA.
T.J. is a good receiver but plays best when their is a threat
opposite him. Brach used to be that guy but hasn't been for
awhile. Butler has potential. This team needs
receivers. |
| TE |
This is a good unit.
Carlson is a very good tight end and I like Morrah. |
| OL |
With Jones retiring this
team needs a stud left tackle. Outside of that, players to
push and challenge starters could be added. |
| DL |
Kerney is another player
getting old fast. The Seahawks need a pass rushing defensive
and a tackle to challenge to start next to Mebane. |
| LB |
The team goes four deep
with studs and only starts three. Perhaps adding a
linebacker for special teams and depth, but that's about it. |
| DB |
Good corners and acceptable
safeties pepper the Seahawks roster. They could use an
upgrade at safety, brining in a playmaker, and possibly a corner
to push the existing players on the roster. |
| ST |
The Seahawks could use a
dynamic punt returner. |
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