Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbooks) - Below we take a brief look at the Draft day needs and probable strategies of each of the AFC's 16 teams. NFC capsules can be found in The Sportsbooks's NFL "news" section).
AFC EAST
Buffalo (7-9)
First Pick: No. 11
Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Summary: Having filled their glaring need for a playmaker by signing Terrell Owens last month, Buffalo can get down to the business of filling their other various holes. The Bills were a poor pass rushing team after end Aaron Schobel was hurt early last season, and the Draft's best available pass rusher could be the target with the No. 11 pick. A long-mediocre offensive line could also use an upgrade, and if the team remains far away from a new contract for still-disgruntled left tackle Jason Peters, finding an eventual candidate to replace him would be a prudent move. The team looks set at quarterback with Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Gibran Hamdan, but given running back Marshawn Lynch's legal struggles, finding some depth there could be a necessity.
Miami (11-5)
First Pick: No. 25
Number of Selections: 9 (1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7)
Summary: The metamorphosis continues for Bill Parcells, Tony Sparano and company, and as we found out last year, defense is at the heart of the organization's transition. With cornerback Andre' Goodman and safety Renaldo Hill now wearing Broncos uniforms, secondary help could take precedence. The defensive line could still use some bodies as well, as could the pass rush, which needs a quality player to offset Joey Porter. None of this is to say that the offense is a finished product. There is a major need at wide receiver, though conventional wisdom suggests the biggest addition there will come via free agency (Marvin Harrison? Torry Holt?) or a trade (Anquan Boldin? Braylon Edwards?) Offensive line also figures to be a mid-round focus.
New England (11-5)
First Pick: No. 23
Number of Selections: 11 (1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7)
Summary: The Patriots had some trouble protecting Matt Cassel last year, and the team needs to determine how much of that was Cassel's immobility and how much was the offensive line's fault. Given that keeping Tom Brady safe coming off an injury is imperative to the team's success, look for Bill Belichick to err on the side of the latter. The Pats have six of the Draft's first 97 picks, and don't be surprised if two are used on o-lineman. Another glaring hole is at outside linebacker - New England did not rush the passer well last year and recently traded Mike Vrabel to Kansas City. An elite pass rusher would do this defense plenty of good. In addition, the secondary could use some attention all-around, with safety Rodney Harrison and cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal and Lewis Sanders not expected to return.
N.Y. Jets (9-7)
First Pick: No. 17
Number of Selections: 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7)
Summary: After striking out on Jay Cutler (they didn't have much to offer the Broncos anyway), many in the land of Gang Green are wondering whether the team will draft a quarterback to compete with the uninspiring trio of Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff, and Erik Ainge. Don't count on it. The big two QBs, Stafford and Sanchez, are going to be gone by the time the Jets are on the clock, and chances are no one they'll be able to get in the second round is better than what the team already has. The most glaring needs apart from QB are the wide receiver position, which lost Laveranues Coles, and along the defensive line, where new head coach Rex Ryan would like to assemble a group similar to the one he had in Baltimore. The team should have a shot at a few decent wideouts (Percy Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks) and a couple of promising d- tackles (Peria Jerry, Evander Hood) at No. 17.
AFC SOUTH
Houston (8-8)
First Pick: No. 15
Number of Selections: 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Summary: The Texans have focused almost exclusively on defense in the first round of recent Drafts, and have come up with a couple of hits (Mario Williams, Dunta Robinson), a couple of misses (Travis Johnson, Jason Babin), and one in-between (Amobi Okoye). Once again, it looks like Houston will target a defender, and a pass rusher to help Williams and free agent pickup Antonio Smith is a possibility, as is another linebacker to complement DeMeco Ryans. The secondary is another perennial trouble spot, and it would not be surprising to see Houston look in that direction. On offense, the Texans could use a running back to take some of the pressure off of the emerging Steve Slaton, and a late-round quarterback to eventually supplant Dan Orlovsky as the No. 2 would not be a bad idea either.
Indianapolis (12-4)
First Pick: No. 27
Number of Selections: 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Summary: The Colts have long been undersized in the front seven, particularly on the interior line, and need to find some space-eaters to take the pressure off a mediocre group of linebackers. Few would be complaining if Indy used the No. 27 pick on either a d-lineman or a sure-tackling, sturdy MLB like Ohio State's James Laurinaitis. On the other side of the ball, the Colts have needs on the interior o-line, which was a major component of one of the NFL's worst running games a year ago, and at wide receiver, which could use another dependable option following the release of Marvin Harrison.
Jacksonville (5-11)
First Pick: No. 8
Number of Selections: 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7)
Summary: Though a number of mock drafts have the Jaguars selecting a quarterback at No. 8 in order to eventually replace the inconsistent David Garrard, taking Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford would not be the prudent move if the team thinks it can be a playoff team in 2009. Rather than starting a new era at QB, logic dictates that the Jags will make its early-round focus getting Garrard and Maurice-Jones Drew more bodies on what was an awful offensive line a year ago (the team already signed ex-Eagle Tra Thomas to play left tackle), as well as acquiring some receiving help for a team that recently parted ways with Matt Jones and Jerry Porter. If either Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin are available at No. 8, look for Jacksonville to pounce. Meanwhile, there are some questions that need to be answered on defense as well, though not all will be answered through the Draft. Jack Del Rio's squad didn't rush the passer well and lacked strong cornerback play, apart from Rashean Mathis, a year ago. Also, with Mike Peterson now a Falcon, Jacksonville clearly needs a new direction at middle linebacker.
Tennessee (13-3)
First Pick: No. 30
Number of Selections: 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7)
Summary: The Titans' biggest offseason loss - literally and figuratively - was Albert Haynesworth, who broke the bank by signing with the Redskins. Tennessee might seek to upgrade the d-line following his departure, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll take a tackle - ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse have had injury problems and might warrant solid backups as well. Wide receiver has long been a trouble spot for the Titans as well, and even if the team is able to win the battle for Torry Holt, another wideout pick could be prudent for the team at No. 30. The mid-round focus should rest on the secondary, which lost contributors like Reynaldo Hill and Eric King, and linebacker, which has been an average part of an otherwise rock-solid defense for a couple of years.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore (11-5)
First Pick: No. 26
Number of Selections: 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Summary: With cornerbacks Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Corey Ivy and safety Jim Leonhard all having been cast adrift, there is an obvious need for depth in the Baltimore secondary. Look for the Ravens to take the best defensive back available at No. 26. GM Ozzie Newsome also needs to find additional receiving weapons for quarterback Joe Flacco, though the recent signing of ex- Eagle L.J. Smith was a start. The team's flirtation with tackle Orlando Pace, who recently signed with the Bears, is an indication that the club is not thrilled with its depth at that position. Finally, there's a chance that the Ravens could use a second-day pick on a kicker, since Matt Stover has yet to sign a contract and kickoff specialist Steven Hauschka is largely untested.
Cincinnati (4-11-1)
First Pick: No. 6
Number of Selections: 11 (1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7)
Summary: The Bengals added right tackle to their laundry list of needs after Stacy Andrews surprisingly defected to the Eagles in free agency. Though the top two tackle prospects - Jason Smith (Baylor) and Eugene Monroe (Virginia) - will probably be gone by the time Cincinnati selects at No. 6, Marvin Lewis and company can either roll the dice with someone like tackle Andre Smith (Alabama), address another pressing need somewhere on the defensive front seven, or make a big splash with one of the wideouts that will probably be available, Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) and Jeremy Maclin (Missouri). The tackle/receiver question would probably be a difficult one for quarterback Carson Palmer, who needs to remain healthy and keep pressure off of himself as he attempts a comeback, but also needs another reliable wideout following the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the continuing unreliability of Chad Ochocinco. Meanwhile, while the Bengals are excited about their whopping 11 picks, it is important to note that five of those will be among the final 77 players chosen.
Cleveland (4-12)
First Pick: No. 5
Number of Selections: 5 (1, 2, 2, 4, 6)
Summary: The Browns are a mess. Their best defensive player, tackle Shaun Rogers, has been at odds with new head coach Eric Mangini. One of their top offensive weapons, wideout Braylon Edwards, has reportedly been on the trading block, with his contract about to run out after 2009. But Cleveland probably can't afford to address either position via the Draft, since the team only has five picks and has a host of other needs. The Browns didn't rush the passer well in 2008 and the cornerback slot was a complete revolving door due to injuries. Another backfield option is needed with starter Jamal Lewis in decline, and a pass-catching tight end following the trade of Kellen Winslow would make some sense as well. With all of those needs, you can pretty much forget Cleveland selecting a quarterback anywhere in this Draft, even though the team's new braintrust of coach Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis are apparently not enamored of Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.
Pittsburgh (12-4)
First Pick: No. 32
Number of Selections: 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7)
Summary: Sometimes it is hard to tell what the defending Super Bowl champs will do in the Draft, but in this case, it isn't. Pittsburgh has a glaring weakness at offensive tackle, one that didn't grow any dimmer when Marvel Smith signed with the 49ers late last month. Whoever Pittsburgh can get at No. 32 will probably be better than Willie Colon, Trai Essex, and Max Starks on day one. There's no reason why Mike Tomlin and company shouldn't try to upgrade the guard and center slots either. The defense is going to be scary again in 2009, but with Bryant McFadden now a Cardinal, another body at the cornerback position is recommended. Finally, a wide receiver, given Hines Ward's advancing age and Nate Washington's free agent defection to Tennessee, wouldn't be a bad pick and would likely please Ben Roethlisberger.
AFC WEST
Denver (8-8) First Pick: No. 12
Number of Selections: 10 (1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7)
Summary: Following the deal that sent Jay Cutler to Chicago, the Broncos now possess five of the first 84 picks in the Draft, including first-rounders at No. 12 and No. 18. Though there will be some call for the Broncos to select a quarterback early, that looks like a long shot on a team that needs defense, defense, and more defense. The club's switch to a 3-4 scheme has required a near-complete overhaul of personnel, and though the offseason influx of free agents on that side of the ball included one top-line starter (S Brian Dawkins), and three decent starting options (S Renaldo Hill, ILB Andra Davis, CB Andre' Goodman), Denver still lacks pass rushers and can't be counting on people like Darrell Reid (ex-Colts) and Ronald Fields (ex-49ers at the defensive tackle positions. Look for the team to take a 3-4 pass rusher at No. 12, and to target a big tackle like Peria Jerry (Ole Miss) or Evander Hood (Missouri) at No. 18. If the team goes offense before the fourth round, running back and offensive line depth are among the probable targets.
Kansas City (2-14)
First Pick: No. 3
Number of Selections: 7 (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7) Summary: The Chiefs were the worst pass-rushing team in NFL history last year, and that distinction, coupled with the fact that the club is moving to a 3-4 defensive scheme, should make outside linebacker help target number one. March acquisition Mike Vrabel will offer some assistance in that regard, but selecting Wake Forest star Aaron Curry at No. 3 would mean significantly more. Once Kansas City is on the clock again at No. 67 (their second-round pick went to New England for Matt Cassel), an inside linebacker or secondary playmaker would fill needs. Though the team doesn't look intent on bringing back Larry Johnson at running back, their other needs probably prohibit taking a back before the late rounds. Adding depth to a still-shaky offensive line should come first.
Oakland (5-11)
First Pick: No. 7
Number of Selections: 5 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7)
Summary: For the third straight year, the Raiders' first-round choice figures to be a poorly-kept secret. Oakland's wideouts may have been the worst in the league in 2008, and unless the Raiders make a play for Chad Ochocinco or the recently-released Plaxico Burress (don't rule it out), either Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) or fellow wideout Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) will probably rank atop the team's Draft board. After that pick, the Silver and Black would be wise to go defense with its second- and third-round picks, since the front seven continues to have major struggles against the run. Also, though the team upgraded at left tackle by signing ex-Jaguar Khalif Barnes, the offensive line remains below average and needs some bodies. Oakland doesn't have a great plan B behind JaMarcus Russell at the moment, but conventional wisdom says the team will look at a free agent like Jeff Garcia before targeting a backup QB via the Draft.
San Diego (8-8)
First Pick: No. 16
Number of Selections: 8 (1, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Summary: Interestingly, though the Chargers were able to keep LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles in the fold for 2009, running back remains a need for San Diego. Tomlinson is in apparent decline, and it's unlikely that the team views Sproles as a load-carrier for the long-term. Don't be shocked if GM A.J. Smith takes a long look at Knowshon Moreno (Georgia) and/or Beanie Wells (Ohio State). The other early possibilities are another body in the secondary, in particular someone who can cover, or a 3-4 end to replace the departed Igor Olshansky (Cowboys). With the team's seven second-day picks, some interior o- line help and a top-notch blocking fullback ought to be targets.
