1) Minnesota Vikings: They have the league's best running back, but they can
still develop their passing game at a higher level. The defense remains one of
the NFL's best.
Last Ranking: 1
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), OT
(veteran depth), LB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
2) Indianapolis Colts: The offense looks as good as ever and the addition of
rookie Donald Brown gives them more versatility to the running game. They do
have to find a way to at least control the opponents running game.
Last Ranking: 3
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), DT
(veteran depth)
3) New York Giants: Eli Manning is off to a good start and Ahmad Bradshaw could
be one of the league's best kept secrets at running back.
Last Ranking: 5
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), LB (veteran depth)
4) Atlanta Falcons: They have an outstanding and versatile offense. However, the
loss of DT Peria Jerry could have a lasting effect as the season progresses.
Last Ranking: 4
Needs Still to be Filled: OT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), DT
(depth), OLB
(depth)
5) Baltimore Ravens: The reemergence of veteran Willis McGahee to the running
game is giving the team better balance on offense. The defense clearly isn't as
dominant as last season.
Last Ranking: 7
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), ILB (depth), S (veteran depth)
6) Pittsburgh Steelers: They have become a passing team on offense because they
can't run the ball effectively. But they do have a very solid group of receivers
to pull it off. The pass defense could be a problem until SS Troy Polamalu
returns from his injury.
Last Ranking: 2
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), OT (veteran depth), OLB (depth), S (depth)
7) New Orleans Saints: No team has a better offense right now. They can do
pretty much anything they want on that side of the ball. The defense, while
improved, can be challenged.
Last Ranking: 12
Needs Still to be Filled: DT (depth), DE (depth), OLB (depth)
8) Philadelphia Eagles: The loss of starting MLB Stewart Bradley was very
noticeable last week. The offense still looks to be one of the NFL's best.
Last Ranking: 6
Needs Still to be Filled: TE (depth), OT (LT/RT depth), DT (veteran depth),
LB (veteran depth)
9) New York Jets: They haven't faced a good defense yet, but when they do, it
will be interesting to see if Mark Sanchez has to throw the ball more. The
defense is looking similar to Baltimore's under Rex Ryan--that's causing chaos.
Last Ranking: 11
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (starter/depth), G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), DE (depth),
OLB (veteran depth)
10) Green Bay Packers: The temporary loss of starting OLT Chad Clifton is a
concern as is the protection up front for QB Aaron Rodgers.
Last Ranking: 10
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), OT (RT/LT veteran depth), G
(depth), DE
(veteran depth), OLB (pass rushing depth), S (depth)
11) New England Patriots: The lack of a running game or a commitment to it is
making their offense way too predictable. As expected, the defense has no
discernible pass rush.
Last Ranking: 9
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), WR (veteran depth), LT (depth),
ILB (depth)
12) San Francisco 49ers: As long as they can run the ball well and not have QB
Shaun Hill have to win it for them, they'll be fine on offense. The defense
seems to be much more aggressive so far.
Last Ranking: 19
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), OLB (pass rushing depth)
13) Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler really bounced back well last week, but they have
to find a way to run the ball better. Defensively, there is still a big concern
in the secondary. Coverage problems still exist.
Last Ranking: 16
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RB (veteran depth upgrade), WR (veteran depth), MLB (depth), OLB
(depth)
14) Denver Broncos: The offense still lacks cohesion especially in the passing
game. But the defense really is starting to play with more discipline, something
that was lacking in recent years.
Last Ranking: 22
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth), S
(veteran depth)
15) Tennessee Titans: The offense actually looks as good as it has in some time,
but the defense, especially in the secondary, has major issues. The loss of DT
Albert Haynesworth is showing.
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), LB
(OLB/MLB veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
16) Buffalo Bills: Have to be impressed with how they bounced back after a tough
Week One loss. Fred Jackson is really giving their running game more consistency
and versatility.
Last Ranking: 26
Needs Still to be Filled: TE (depth), G (depth), RT (depth/upgrade), MLB (depth), OLB (veteran depth)
17) Cincinnati Bengals: The offensive line has surprisingly held up well thus
far and the defense is competitive. This week's game with the Steelers will be a
pretty good indication of where this team is on both sides of the ball.
Last Ranking: 21
Needs Still to be Filled: C (veteran depth), DT (depth), DE (pass
rusher), CB (depth/nickel), S (veteran depth)
18) San Diego Chargers: The offense is spectacular once again, but the defense,
especially in the secondary, continues to be a big problem. And don't
underestimate the loss of NT Jamal Williams.
Last Ranking: 8
Needs Still to be Filled: OT (LT/RT depth), G (depth), DE (depth), NT
(veteran depth),
S (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
19) Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo still can't be counted on to play at a
consistently high level. The secondary continues to have coverage issues.
Last Ranking: 14
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), OLB (pass
rushing depth), CB (veteran depth)
20) Arizona Cardinals: The offense will be one of the best again, but the
defense remains as the Achilles heel.
Last Ranking: 20
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), G (depth), C (depth), DE (depth),
ILB (veteran depth), CB (depth)
21) Miami Dolphins: They are going to have problems scoring points based on the
lack of quality personnel at receiver. The defense can keep this team in games.
Last Ranking: 18
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), OT (veteran depth), ILB/OLB (depth),
S (depth)
22) Seattle Seahawks: They have a plethora of injuries on both sides of the ball
and it may be hard to overcome. Depth continues to be a major issue.
Last Ranking: 17
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), OT (depth), MLB (depth)
23) Carolina Panthers: They obviously can run the ball well, but can they count
on Jake Delhomme for any kind of consistency? The defense doesn't challenge
opponents at all.
Last Ranking: 15
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), OT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), DT (veteran depth), CB (nickel/depth),
S (veteran depth)
24) Oakland Raiders: As expected, running the ball well hasn't been a problem.
However, QB JaMarcus Russell has carried over his poor play from the preseason.
Defensively, Richard Seymour has really helped the front-seven.
Last Ranking: 24
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), G (depth), DT
(depth), OLB (depth), S (veteran depth)
25) Washington Redskins: The offense looks sluggish again, but at least the
defense can keep them in games.
Last Ranking: 23
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), OT (depth), DE (depth), OLB (depth), S (veteran depth)
26) Houston Texans: Great win last week, but the loss of starting G Chester Pitts is big as he's their best offensive lineman. The defense is still one of
the worst in the NFL.
Last Ranking: 27
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), G (depth), DE (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth), S
(veteran depth)
27) Jacksonville Jaguars: David Garrard looks shaky again and the defense lacks
proper personnel up front to run the 3-4 effectively.
Last Ranking: 25
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), TE (depth), DE (depth), DT (veteran
depth), LB
(ILB/OLB-veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
28) Cleveland Browns: Head coach Eric Mangini hasn't really had much of an
influence on the defense as some thought he would so far. Brady Quinn must play
better if this team is going to have a chance to win.
Last Ranking: 28
Needs Still to be Filled: LT/RT (depth), TE (pass catcher), OLB (pass
rusher), S (SS depth), CB (veteran depth)
29) Kansas City Chiefs: They're competitive to a degree, but they have too many
issues on both sides of the ball to win more than a few games this season.
Last Ranking: 29
Needs Still to be Filled: OT (depth), DE (depth), OLB (depth), CB
(veteran depth)
30) St. Louis Rams: The offensive line injuries are a concern as is the defense
overall. They have to be able to stop teams more consistently on defense to have
a chance to win each week.
Last Ranking: 30
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), OLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran
depth)
31) Detroit Lions: At least they're competitive offensively, but the defense
needs major upgrades at several positions.
Last Ranking: 32
Needs Still to be Filled: DT (depth), DE (depth), OLB (depth),
CB (speed)
32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They're moving the ball fairly well on offense, but
the defense is terrible. It's amazing how much the personnel has dropped off on
the defensive side of the ball.
Last Ranking: 31
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (depth), LT (depth), DT (veteran depth), DE
(depth), CB (depth/nickel), S (depth)