The Steelers could really use a Guard to keep Roethlisberger protected.

AFC Team-by-Team Draft Needs »

AFC North

Cleveland Browns

1. Wide Receiver
2. Quarterback
3. Right Tackle
4. Running Back

The Browns offense was atrocious last year and there is no question that the they need help all over that side of the ball.  Greg Little has strong potential at WR, but the Browns need another target to pair with him and potentially a QB to get both guys the ball.

The Browns aren’t good enough at right tackle and that could end up being a first round priority.  RB help can be found in the middle rounds which is the same for OLB which is a spot the Browns need to upgrade as soon as possible.  The Browns need more pass rush help at DE as well.

Cincinnati Bengals

1. Cornerback
2. Wide Receiver
3. Running Back
4. Guard

If the Bengals don’t start running the ball better, teams will find ways to slow A.J. Green down and Andy Dalton’s job will get much tougher.  The Bengals added Benjarvus Green-Ellis, but they will probably add another back in the draft.  The CB position has some depth, but Nate Clements is getting long in the tooth and could be replaced soon.

A.J. Green is a dynamic threat all over the field, but the Bengals should look for WR help in the draft.  The Bengals need talent on the interior offensive line as well as the swing tackle position.

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Guard
2. Cornerback
3. Tackle
4. Running Back

Unless Mike Wallace is taken away by another team, I’m not going to list wide receiver as a need despite the retirement of Hines Ward.  If Wallace leaves, WR becomes a top 4 priority.  As has been the case for about four years now, the Steelers need to upgrade their offensive line and specifically their interior.

They could draft an athletic tackle and move Willie Colon inside.  The Steelers defense is getting old and they need to address CB, ILB and NT.  With Rashard Mendenhall coming off of an injury, they make look for RB help.

Baltimore Ravens

1. Inside Linebacker
2. Center
3. Wide Receiver
4. Left Tackle

The Ravens re-signed Matt Birk at center, but he turns 36 by the time the season starts and he’s unlikely to play all three years of his contract.  The Ravens don’t have to take a center this year, but that position is certainly a need in the very near future.

Ray Lewis looks like he can play forever, but he can’t.  The inside linebacker position is in desperate need of depth including Lewis’ future replacement.  The Ravens may look at left tackle and wide receiver to bolster depth at that position and to eventually become starters.

AFC South

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Indianapolis Colts

1. Quarterback
2. Cornerback
3. Guard/Center
4. Wide Receiver

It’s hard to stop at just four needs considering just how badly the Colts need to rebuild their entire roster.  Obviously Andrew Luck will take care of the QB need, but the Colts don’t have enough early round draft picks to take care of even half of their needs.

The Colts are transitioning to a 3-4, but that has no bearing on their need for a CB who can hold his own in man to man.  The offensive line is getting an infusion of more talent, but their interior line still needs help.  Despite re-signing Reggie Wayne, the Colts need another WR.

Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Cornerback
2. Wide Receiver
3. Offensive Tackle
4. Defensive End

Like the Colts, the Jaguars still have several areas of concern that warrant early round consideration.  Jacksonville added WR Laurent Robinson via free agency, but they still need to upgrade that position.  The Jacksonville secondary features a solid safety unit, but the talent base isn’t up to par at CB where 31 year old Rashean Mathis is the best they have.

Right tackle and defensive end could just as easily be addressed within the first two rounds as any other position.  The Jaguars aren’t rushing the passer or protecting the pass as well as they need to.>
RT is a need. DE is the top need then WR.

Tennessee Titans

1. Cornerback
2. Defensive End
3. Guard/Center
4. Safety

Just like every other team in the division, CB is near the top of the list of needs for the Titans.  The Titans have some young bodies at the CB position, but the loss of Courtland Finnegan means that depth is major concern.

Getting the running game going is key and the Titans added veteran guard Steve Hutchinson to help; however, Hutchinson is a band-aid for a problem requires draft picks on the interior line.  The Titans pass rush is a mess and they must take a DE fairly early.  Tennessee can look for safety help later in the draft.

Houston Texans

1. Wide Receiver
2. Outside Linebacker
3. Cornerback
4. Offensive Line

Houston went into free agency with offensive line as a strength, but after losing starting tackle Eric Winston and starting right guard Mike Brisiel, the Texan may have to go hunting for line help in this year’s draft.

Mario Williams’ departure was expected and the Texans will likely look for an OLB who can compete with Brooks Reed for the starting job.  Kareem Jackson has yet to live up to expectations and with the departure of Jason Allen, the Texans may choose to add some depth at CB.

AFC East

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Miami Dolphins

1. Defensive End
2. Right Tackle
3. Quarterback
4. Tight End

With the Dolphins converting over to a 4-3, it is important for Miami to find a true DE who they can play on the opposite side of Cameron Wake.  The Dolphins might try and get by with a “power end” from their current roster for this year.

Right tackle is a big concern for the Dolphins who have to get back to a most consistent rushing attack.  The Dolphins added David Garrard, but they still need to find their QB of the future if they aren’t sold on Matt Moore.  Anthony Fasano is a nice player, but the Dolphins need another TE to go with him.

Buffalo Bills

1. Wide Receiver
2. Offensive Tackle
3. Cornerback
4. Outside Linebacker

Buffalo made a big splash on the defensive side of the ball by adding Mario Williams, but there is still work to be done on their roster.  The Bills have drafted at the CB spot over the years and still haven’t found the right mix.  With the Bills transitioning to a 4-3, they could use some depth at both outside linebacker spots who can eventually become starters.

The offensive tackle situation is not where it needs to be and deserves a look within the first three rounds.  Despite re-signing Stevie Johnson, the Bills need more help at WR.

New York Jets

1. Outside Linebacker
2. Right Tackle
3. Wide Receiver
4. Guard

Jets football is supposed to be about smash-mouth play on both sides of the ball, but they aren’t properly equipped for it right now.  The Jets have needed to upgrade their pass rush at OLB for awhile and have failed.  My guess is they will look at that position again in the first two rounds.

Right tackle is a position that needs to be fixed if the Jets are going to hit people in the mouth with their running game and the same is true at guard.  The WR position could use some new (less cynical) blood in the middle rounds.

New England Patriots

1. Defensive End (OLB)
2. Cornerback
3. Safety
4. Defensive Tackle

Wide Receiver went from a big need to a non-need after the Patriots franchised Wes Welker and signed Brandon Lloyd, Donte’ Stallworth and Anthony Gonzalez.  If Stallworth and Gonzalez can stay on the field, Brady can get some usefulness out of at least one of them.

The Patriots need to find a DE/OLB hybrid who can rush the passer effectively and it is a big priority considering how bad their secondary is.  The CB and safety position must be targeted and DT depth might be considered in later rounds.

AFC West

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Kansas City

1. Nose Tackle
2. Defensive End
3. Free Safety
4. Quarterback

GM Scott Pioli understands that building a strong offensive and defensive line is one of the essential to consistent, winning football and it should come as no surprise that he made Eric Winston a priority in free agency to add to the right tackle position.  It should also come as no surprise that he will look to add a NT or DE to strengthen Romeo Crennel’s defense.

Adding to the secondary is a distinct possibility and finding competition for Matt Cassel is something the Chiefs have spoken openly about.

Oakland

1. Outside Linebacker
2. Cornerback
3. Tight End
4. Running Back

Poor Reggie McKenzie.  He steps into his first job as GM and he finds himself in the middle of a salary cap problem and no draft picks until the 5th round thanks to some atrocious decisions made by the previous regime.

I’ll list the Raiders needs, but it will be tough to actually fill them with so little to work with.  The CB position needs help right away as does the TE spot.  The Raiders could get away with not looking for an OLB, but they do need to add another RB by the time camp starts.

San Diego

1. Right Tackle
2. Cornerback
3. Outside Linebacker
4. Tight End

Philip Rivers didn’t seem to respond well to pressure in the pocket last year and it is up to the Chargers to rectify that.  One of the easiest ways to add to pass protection is to look for a new right tackle.  Adding a TE who can pick up the slack for veteran Antonio Gates would also be nice.

Defensively, the Chargers average pass rushers at OLB and could stand to add more speed.  It’s hard to find a team who doesn’t need CB help these days and it just happens to be a fairly high priority for the Chargers.

Denver

1. Defensive Tackle
2. Cornerback
3. Nose Tackle
4. Tight End

The interior line of the Broncos defense needs an early round upgrade in the worst way and we fully expect them to address defensive tackle within the first three rounds.  Champ Bailey is getting older and the Broncos will have to search for his replacement.

Finding a run-stuffer for the middle of the defense is something that can probably wait until the middle rounds.  With the addition of Peyton Manning, the Broncos may move TE up the priority list as he certainly knows how to get the most from a pass-catching TE.