1) Indianapolis Colts: Their defense seems to be better than expected, even
without SS Bob Sanders. The key for this week's game is how much they can get
out of DE Dwight Freeney.
Record: 16-2
Last Ranking: 1
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), DE
(depth), SLB (veteran depth), MLB
(veteran depth)
2) New Orleans Saints: For whatever reason, Drew Brees doesn't seem to be
playing at his usual high level of late. He'll need to be razor sharp on Sunday
if the Saints are to beat the Colts.
Record: 15-3
Last Ranking: 2
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), G
(depth), DE
(veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth)
3) Minnesota Vikings: If Brett Favre decides to retire...again, they will need
to go and get another quarterback. The safety play needs to be better next
season.
Record: 13-5
Last Ranking: 3
Needs Still to be Filled: C (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), SS (veteran depth), FS (veteran depth)
4) New York Jets: They need to get more speed at receiver. Also, getting a slot
receiver would help solidify that position.
Record: 11-8
Last Ranking: 4
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (slot), G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth),
DE (depth), ILB (depth), OLB
(veteran depth)
5) San Diego Chargers: With veteran RB LaDainian Tomlinson's future with the
team tenuous at best, the Chargers must address that position high in this
year's draft.
Record: 13-4
Last Ranking: 5
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (depth), LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth),
S (veteran depth)
6) Dallas Cowboys: This should be a good team again in 2010. They do have
to run the ball better, however, and need to get better balance on offense.
Record: 12-6
Last Ranking: 6
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), LT (veteran depth), OLB
(pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
7) Green Bay Packers: Their offense should be outstanding again. Depth on the
offensive line, however, remains an issue. The defense needs help at cornerback.
Record: 11-6
Last Ranking: 7
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth), S (depth)
8) Philadelphia Eagles: For the first time in many years, the defense needs
help. They need improvement at all three levels of their defense (DL, LB, DB).
Record: 11-6
Last Ranking: 8
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), C (depth), DE (veteran
upgrade), SLB (upgrade), MLB (depth), CB (developmental prospect), FS (upgrade)
9) Arizona Cardinals: With veteran QB Kurt Warner retiring, is it Matt Leinart
time? Has he really shown anyone that he's ready to take over? The defense lacks
depth at several positions.
Record: 11-7
Last Ranking: 9
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), LT (upgrade), RT (veteran depth),
G (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), OLB (depth/upgrade), CB (veteran depth),
S (veteran depth)
10) Baltimore Ravens: The receiver position continues to be the bane of their
existence. They must improve there significantly if their offense is to have
explosiveness.
Record: 9-8
Last Ranking: 10
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (upgrades), G (veteran depth), ILB (veteran depth), OLB
(veteran depth), S (veteran depth), CB (depth)
11) New England Patriots: Their receiver depth was thin as it was, now it's
going to be tested even further with Wes Welker's serious knee injury. They must
get a few good pass rushers if their defense is to improve next season.
Record: 10-7
Last Ranking: 11
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), WR (veteran depth), ILB (depth),
OLB (pass rusher)
12) Cincinnati Bengals: As we've said here for many weeks, they must add
speed to the receiver position. They also have depth issues on defense.
Record: 10-7
Last Ranking: 12
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (speed), RT (veteran depth), G (veteran
depth), DE (pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth/nickel), SS (depth)
13) New York Giants: The secondary needs to play at a higher level if this
team is to get back to the playoffs.
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), G (depth), SS
(depth/upgrade)
14) Houston Texans: On paper, Houston has one of the best offenses in the NFL.
The defense needs upgrades in the secondary for this team to take the next step
to the playoffs.
Record: 9-7
Last Ranking: 14
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), G (depth), RT (depth), DE (pass rushing depth),
DT (depth), SLB (depth), SS (depth), FS (depth)
15) Pittsburgh Steelers: The offense should be solid once again, but the defense
has issues on the backend.
Record: 9-7
Last Ranking: 15
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran
depth), C (veteran depth), DE (veteran depth), OLB (depth), ILB (depth), CB (upgrade), S (depth)
16) Denver Broncos: This is yet another team that has an issue at the
quarterback position. What will they do with WR Brandon Marshall?
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 16
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), LT (depth upgrade), RT (depth), G (veteran depth),
C (veteran depth), DE (depth), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
17) Tennessee Titans: With veteran DE Kyle Vanden Bosch unsigned, who do they
have left who can rush the passer?
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 17
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), DE (depth/pass rusher), WLB
(veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth), S (depth)
18) San Francisco 49ers: On paper, this looks to be an average or slightly
above average team. The quarterback position still remains one that could
potentially hold them down again.
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 18
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), G (depth), RT (veteran depth), LT
(veteran depth), NT (depth), ILB (depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), S (depth),
CB (depth)
19) Atlanta Falcons: The defense needs upgrading at several positions if this
team wants to make a strong playoff run next season.
Record: 9-7
Last Ranking: 19
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), RT (veteran depth), G (depth), SLB (depth),
MLB (depth), WLB (depth), S (veteran depth), CB (upgrade)
20) Miami Dolphins: The receiver position needs upgrades as far as two starters
are concerned. With Jason Taylor unsigned and Joey Porter likely a goner, who's
left that can rush the passer?
Record: 7-9
Last Ranking: 20
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (upgrades), G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), ILB (depth), OLB (depth)
21) Carolina Panthers: The receiver position remains as the biggest issue for
this team on offense. If Julius Peppers leaves, who do they have left who can
rush the passer?
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 21
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth/upgrade), LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth),
DT (depth), DE (depth), SLB (veteran depth), CB (nickel/depth)
22) Jacksonville Jaguars: With veteran WR Torry Holt expected to be released,
the receiver position remains an issue. However, their defense is a major
problem. Going back to a 4-3 scheme will probably help based on the personnel
they have.
Record: 7-9
Last Ranking: 22
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), C (depth), G (depth), DE (upgrades/depth), OLB (depth), CB (veteran depth)
23) Chicago Bears: The addition of OC Mike Martz should get Jay Cutler back on
the right path. Their offensive line will be tested in five-man protection with
Martz calling the shots.
Record: 7-9
Last Ranking: 23
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RB (depth), G (depth), OT (depth),
C (depth), DE
(depth), MLB (depth), S (upgrades)
24) Washington Redskins: Their defense isn't the issue with this football team.
New head coach Mike Shanahan will have to figure out who will be his quarterback
for the near future.
Record: 4-12
Last Ranking: 28
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), C (depth), DE (depth), WLB (depth), SLB (depth), S (veteran depth)
25) Cleveland Browns: Jerome Harrison showed the coaches that he's ready for a
bigger role. But is he ready to handle 15 carries or more per game? The
quarterback position needs clarity going forward.
Record: 5-11
Last Ranking: 24
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (upgrade), WR (speed), LT (depth), RT (depth),
G (depth), NT (depth), ILB (veteran depth), OLB (pass
rusher), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
26) Buffalo Bills: Hopefully new head coach Chad Gailey can get a hold on the
quarterback position early on. Fred Jackson should be their starting running
back going forward. The change to a 3-4 defensive scheme will force the front
office to make some big changes with personnel.
Record: 6-10
Last Ranking: 25
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), WR (depth), TE (upgrade), G (depth),
C (depth), RT (depth), LT
(upgrade), DE (size), WLB
(upgrade/veteran depth), OLB (pass rushers), ILB (depth/size)
27) Seattle Seahawks: The once solid offensive line is now one of the NFL's
worst. The defense also has regressed in recent seasons.
Record: 5-11
Last Ranking: 26
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), RT (depth), G (depth), DE (depth),
WLB (depth), CB (depth/upgrade), S (depth)
28) Oakland Raiders: Their running game is decent. However, the passing game is
pathetic. They must upgrade at the quarterback position to get the offense on
the right track going forward.
Record: 5-11
Last Ranking: 27
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), G (depth), DT (depth), MLB (depth), SLB (depth),
WLB (depth), CB (depth)
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Their offensive line must protect QB Matt Cassel better
going forward. To do that, upgrades are needed. The defense has talent and depth
issues at several positions.
Record: 4-12
Last Ranking: 29
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), RT (upgrade), G (depth), NT (depth), DE (depth), OLB
(pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth)
30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The receiver position probably needs to be revamped a
bit. Depth remains a big issue on their offensive line. The defense needs
upgrades at DE and depth remains an issue on the backend.
Record: 3-13
Last Ranking: 30
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), G (depth), C (depth), LT (depth), RT (depth), DT (veteran depth), DE (veteran depth/upgrade), WLB (depth), SLB (depth), CB (depth/nickel), S (depth)
31) Detroit Lions: Their offensive line has issues that need to be resolved
going forward. The defense needs depth and upgrades at several positions.
Record: 2-14
Last Ranking: 31
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (depth), LT (depth), RT (depth), DE (upgrade), SLB (veteran depth),
WLB (depth), SS (upgrade), CB (upgrade/depth)
32) St. Louis Rams: With this team, their improvement on offense starts at the
quarterback position. They need to know who the starter and top backup will be
in 2010.
Record: 1-15
Last Ranking: 32
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran
depth), G (depth), DT (veteran depth),
DE (depth), SLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran
depth), S (depth)