Sunday, April 15, 2001
NFL teams have wish lists ready for draft
By Chris Landry
Gannett News Service
The free agent market this offseason has been rather soft as many teams are struggling to stay under the salary cap. The result is more good players with limited spots to place them. The two-day NFL draft, which begins Saturday, takes on even greater importance because it is the only way to acquire affordable, solid depth.
Teams spend much of the offseason making roster evaluations and comparing available NFL free agents with the draft class. Here's a look at each team's needs going into the draft.
AFC Central
• Baltimore — The Super Bowl champs have added quarterback Elvis Grbac and tackle Leon Searcy through free agency. They will look to upgrade at right guard, draft a young tight end and search for a running back to back up injury-prone Jamal Lewis. A fullback is a must if Sam Gash is not going to be back. Depth on defense is needed, including a lineman to add some youth to an aging group.
• Cincinnati — Re-signing running back Corey Dillon is a must. The Bengals have many needs, especially at left offensive tackle and along the defensive line. Depth is also needed at cornerback and safety, and the kickers should be replaced with younger legs.
• Cleveland — A top-flight running back is needed, and the Browns may make a run at Corey Dillon following the draft if they cannot worked out a deal with Charlie Garner. The offensive line and wide receivers need work. Defensively, a run-stuffing tackle is a priority, along with a big cornerback, a safety and depth at end.
• Jacksonville — Offensive line, backup running back and fullback are the needs on offense, while on defense Jacksonville will look to upgrade at linebacker, end and safety. After its salary cap problems, a good draft is a must if this team is to stay competitive.
• Pittsburgh — A defensive end is a must to improve the pash rush, as is an inside linebacker to replace Levon Kirkland. Depth on the offensive line is also needed, along with another wide receiver. Key offseason moves were the re-signing of running back Jerome Bettis and signing of guard Jeff Hartings from the Detroit Lions.
• Tennessee — The Titans lost defensive end Kenny Holmes, cornerback Denard Walker and safety Marcus Robertson but added defensive end Kevin Carter. Even before the threat of losing cornerback Samari Rolle to St. Louis, cornerback was a priority. Another wide receiver is a must as is an interior offensive lineman and backup running back.
AFC East
• Buffalo — The biggest offseason priority has been accomplished with the signing of wide receiver Eric Moulds. A top running back will be a necessity because the Bills don't seem to have faith in Antowain Smith. Help at guard is sought as well. The defense needs serious upgrading, particularly on the line and at cornerback.
• Indianapolis — The Colts have to upgrade the defense to take that next step in the playoffs, especially the secondary, where re-signing Jason Belser is a priority. Tackle is another area that needs to be addressed. The second receiver slot, opposite Marvin Harrison, and depth at running back also are concerns.
• Miami — A go-to wide receiver is a must, as is depth for the offensive line. Defensively, there is dire need for a strong-side linebacker, and a young cornerback would not hurt. A third-down running back is an option.
• New England — The Patriots need at least two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, a wide receiver, running back, linebacker, a cornerback, a safety and a punter. Look for them to try to acquire more picks by trading down and filling the gaping holes.
• New York Jets — Wide receiver still remains a priority despite landing Matthew Hatchett in free agency. Someone who could return punts would solve two needs. Offensive line depth and a backup running back are also needs, though the biggest are on the defensive line. A free safety is also a priority.
AFC West
• Denver — The Broncos have added key free agents: defensive linemen Leon Lett, Keith Washington and Chester McGlockton and linebacker Ricardo McDonald; and re-signed linebacker John Mobley. Cornerback Denard Walker also was added. But defense still is a priority where a pass rusher is needed. More speed is sought in the secondary. A third wide receiver is a possibility.
• Kansas City — Quarterback is the priority, and that probably will happen via trade. A starting-caliber running back and cornerback are needed along with a linebacker and at least one offensive lineman. Adding a defensive tackle to replace McGlockton is also necessary.
• Oakland — Running back Charlie Garner, defensive end Trace Armstrong, wide receiver Yatil Green and receiver James Jett have been signed through free agency. Losing Ricky Dudley to free agency means drafting a tight end at some point. The Raiders are old at wide receiver; expect them to draft at least one. Offensive tackle is a priority as well, and look for them to make a move to a young quarterback. Safety is the weak link on defense and must be addressed early on. Depth along the defensive line and at linebacker is also an issue.
• San Diego — There are major needs at running back, offensive line and middle linebacker, and they could use another defensive lineman. Quarterback Doug Flutie, defensive end Marcellus Wiley and cornerback Ryan McNeil were quality signings. This team has just four draft picks in the top five rounds.
• Seattle — The Seahawks have bolstered their defense with five free agent signings, led by John Randle and Chad Eaton on the line and safety Marcus Robertson. Linebacker Kirkland will have an impact if he sheds a few pounds. Wide receiver is the targeted need in this draft, as is a pass-rushing end. Offensive guard must be addressed . Another cornerback is likely as is depth at defensive tackle and linebacker.
NFC Central
• Chicago — The Bears continue to search for a top running back and pass rusher. Depth is needed at wide receiver, offensive line, fullback and cornerback. Playmakers are what the Bears are lacking, although just-signed tackle Ted Washington may be a step in the right direction.
• Detroit — The Lions need speedy playmakers on offense. They also need help on the offensive line, may look at a quarterback, and a tight end is also a possibility. On defense, they'd like another cornerback and a pass rusher to use in the nickel package.
• Green Bay — The Packers need a pass rusher and a wide receiver. Look for them to try to move up if a top end such as Justin Smith of Missouri is available. Depth at cornerback and linebacker also are needed.
• Minnesota — The Vikings need a pass rusher even though they signed Lance Johnstone, a tackle to replace Randle, a linebacker to replace Dwayne Rudd and at least one cornerback. Offensively, replacing Robert Smith at running back is a must, though they are high on Doug Chapman. A left tackle and left guard also are needed.
• Tampa Bay —The Bucs need to upgrade at offensive tackle and tight end and also would like to get a running back and receiver. They are solid on defense but would like to add a cornerback and linebacker.
NFC East
• Arizona — The Cardinals' only quality free agent signing has been guard Pete Kendall. They have big needs on the defensive line. They need at least one end and a tackle, cornerback and middle linebacker. On offense, they need another guard, tight end and a fullback. Don't be surprised if they trade down from their No.2 spot to acquire more picks.
• Dallas — No first-round pick due to last year's signing of wide receiver Joey Galloway. The Cowboys also traded away their fourth-round pick for tight end O.J. Santiago, whom they have since cut. The Cowboys need to address quarterback, and other needs on offense are a running back and a linemen. Defensively, they have needs at tackle and end and want a middle linebacker and cornerback.
• New York Giants — The NFC champions have re-signed running back Tiki Barber and cornerback Jason Sehorn and have signed former Tennessee defensive end Kenny Holmes. They need a cornerback to play opposite Sehorn. A young offensive tackle is a must to begin grooming behind Lomas Brown. A tight end also is on the wish list.
• Philadelphia — A go-to receiver and running back are all that is missing for this team. A run-stopping end would be a welcome addition, as would a strong safety. The Eagles added defensive end Ndukwe Kalu and wide receiver James Thrash in free agency. They are in a position to draft the best available player, and a good receiver probably will be there.
• Washington — The Redskins need a go-to wide receiver, at least one interior offensive lineman and a quarterback. A tackle and cornerback are defensive needs. With Derek Smith signing with 49ers, a middle linebacker also is a possibility. Look for them to try to acquire more picks — they have only four going into the draft.
NFC West
• Atlanta — The Falcons have needs everywhere, starting with the offensive line. Wide receiver and quarterback are also big needs. A pass rusher is the priority on defense. A tackle and cornerback are sought, too. They could acquire more picks by trading down.
• Carolina — The running back and line positions need upgrading. The signings of center Jeff Mitchell and tackle Todd Steussie have helped, but a lineman is not out of the question. Another tight end and a quarterback would help, along with a linebacker and pass rusher.
• New Orleans — The signing of Albert Connell helps at wide receiver and allows the Saints to focus on the best available players. Look for them to upgrade the secondary (free safety and cornerback), look at linebacker, improve depth at defensive tackle, add a receiver and improve overall team speed and depth.
• San Francisco — Offensive line help is needed even though the 49ers got a boost with the re-signing of Scott Gragg and Derrick Deese. Running back is the biggest need since they were not able to re-sign RB Garner. Defensively, they need a pass rusher and may look to trade down to acquire more picks.
• St. Louis: Other than a young offensive tackle, depth at wide receiver and perhaps tight end, the Rams are set on offense. Most of their picks will be used to upgrade their defense. They have two first-round and second-round picks due to the Kevin Carter trade to Tennessee and compensation from Kansas City for coach Dick Vermeil. Needs include end, tackle, safety and cornerback. The Rams just signed linebacker Mark Fields from New Orleans. Chris Landry serves as a scouting consultant to a number of NFL teams.
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