1) Indianapolis Colts: This is the one team that has the least amount of
issues at this point in the season. That's why they are ranked at No. 1.
Record: 15-2
Last Ranking: 1
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth), MLB
(veteran depth)
2) New Orleans Saints: Depth remains an issue at a few positions on both sides
of the ball.
Record: 14-3
Last Ranking: 2
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), DE
(veteran depth), SLB (veteran depth)
3) Minnesota Vikings: The offensive line remains as a huge issue for this team.
Depth is a problem and the unit, overall, is average at best.
Record: 13-4
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: Speed at the receiver position is a must going forward. It
will be interesting to see if the team picks up veteran RB Thomas Jones' roster
bonus which is due on March 9. Rookie RB Shonn Greene is on his way to becoming
their starter at the position. It's just a matter of when, not if he will.
Record: 10-7
Last Ranking: 10
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (slot), G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth),
DE (depth), OLB
(veteran depth)
5) San Diego Chargers: Depth on the offensive line remains a big issue for this
team. Defensively, depth is still a problem in the secondary.
Record: 13-4
Last Ranking: 3
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth),
S (veteran depth)
6) Dallas Cowboys: Upgrading the offensive line should be the main focus on
offense going forward. The defense is in pretty good shape. OLB Anthony Spencer
is on his way to becoming one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the game.
Record: 12-6
Last Ranking: 4
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), LT (veteran depth), OLB
(pass rushing depth), CB (veteran depth), S (veteran depth)
7) Green Bay Packers: The biggest issue this team is in the secondary at
cornerback. That's the area where the front office should be looking at this
off-season.
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: If the Eagles get enough in return for Donovan McNabb,
expect the veteran signal caller to be playing elsewhere next season. There
should be a significant amount of interest in him when you consider how many
teams need an upgrade at the position. Expect them to make a play for a big-time
pass rusher in free agency or in the draft.
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)
9) Arizona Cardinals: If Kurt Warner decides to retire, then the team will have
to bring in another veteran quarterback to compete for the starting job against
Matt Leinart. The pass rush is a major problem, as shown in their final two
playoff games.
Record: 11-7
Last Ranking: 6
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (upgrade), RT (veteran depth),
G (veteran depth), C (veteran depth), OLB (depth/upgrade), CB (depth),
S (veteran depth)
10) Baltimore Ravens: If this team wants to go further in the playoffs, then the
front office has to make upgrades at receiver. Joe Flacco can only do so much.
They have to help him as much as possible.
Record: 9-8
Last Ranking: 9
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: The offensive line needs to perform at a higher level
in front of Tom Brady next season. Who will be lining up opposite Randy Moss?
The defense needs help in at least a few areas.
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: Carson Palmer obviously wasn't himself last season,
but he didn't have much help at the receiver position. That spot needs major
help going forward.
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 safety position remains probably as the biggest
issue the team has on the defensive side of the ball. New defensive coordinator
Perry Fewell will have a big challenge on his hands with getting the front-four
to play up to its potential.
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 14
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), G (depth), S
(depth/upgrade)
14) Houston Texans: Depth remains an issue at several positions on defense, but
that unit, overall, is on the way to respectability.
Record: 9-7
Last Ranking: 13
Needs Still to be Filled: G (depth), RT (depth), DE (pass rushing depth),
DT (depth), OLB (depth), S (depth)
15) Pittsburgh Steelers: The secondary must be upgraded if this team wants to
make a strong playoff run next season.
Record: 9-7
Last Ranking: 15
Needs Still to be Filled: G (veteran depth), RT (veteran depth), LT (veteran
depth), C (veteran depth), OLB (depth), ILB (depth), DE (veteran depth), CB (upgrade), S (depth)
16) Denver Broncos: It's puzzling why Mike Nolan left as defensive coordinator
of the Broncos. The bottom line is their defense made major strides under him
despite having to work with suspect talent at a few positions. The quarterback
position remains an albatross for this team.
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: Vince Young showed the coaches enough positive signs that
he should be the starter at quarterback next season. However, it remains to be
seen if he's the long-term answer at the position. The defensive end position
needs help going forward.
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 18
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: At this point, Alex Smith will likely be the
opening day quarterback next season, but he's clearly not the long-term answer
at the position. The defense needs upgrades and better depth at a few positions.
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 17
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 offense should be fine, but the defense is a major
problem, especially on the backend.
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 good thing is they know who their quarterback will be
for the next 9-10 years, but Chad Henne needs major help at the receiver
position. In fact, you can make a case that Miami needs upgrades for two
starting receivers.
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 quarterback position must be upgraded if this team is
to be a strong playoff contender each season.
Record: 8-8
Last Ranking: 21
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), WR (depth/upgrade), LT (veteran depth), G (veteran depth),
DT (depth), SLB (veteran depth), CB (nickel/depth)
22) Jacksonville Jaguars: It will be interesting to see what the team does this
off-season at the quarterback position. At worst, they should draft a
developmental prospect. The defense badly needs a few quality pass rushers to be
added soon.
Record: 7-9
Last Ranking: 22
Needs Still to be Filled: WR (veteran depth), C (depth), G (depth), DE (upgrades), OLB (pass rushing depth), ILB (veteran depth), CB (veteran depth)
23) Chicago Bears: Find an offensive coordinator Jay Cutler will listen to and
respect is essential for the quarterback's development. The defense needs
upgrades at end and in the secondary.
Record: 7-9
Last Ranking: 23
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (veteran depth), RB (depth), G (depth), OT (depth), DE
(depth), MLB (depth), S (upgrades)
24) Cleveland Browns: Once again, the quarterback position for this team needs
to be solved and probably upgraded. They also could use some help at receiver.
Who will their starting running back be next season? The defense needs help in
the back end. A few pass rushers are also needed.
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)
25) Buffalo Bills: New head coach Chan Gailey runs power rushing scheme on
offense, so you'll continue to see the running game emphasized. However, the
Bills still need upgrades at several positions on both sides of the ball.
Record: 6-10
Last Ranking: 25
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), WR (depth), TE (upgrade), G (depth), RT (depth), LT
(upgrade), WLB
(upgrade/veteran depth), SLB (depth), MLB (depth)
26) Seattle Seahawks: New head coach Pete Carroll has his hands full. He
inherits an underachieving group of receivers, an aging quarterback, and one of
the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Defensively, the secondary remains a big
problem.
Record: 5-11
Last Ranking: 27
Needs Still to be Filled: LT (depth), RT (depth), G (depth), DE (depth),
WLB (depth), CB (depth/upgrade), S (depth)
27) Oakland Raiders: Like so many teams in the NFL, the quarterback position
remains a major problem for this team. Until that position is upgraded, you're
looking at a below .500 team.
Record: 5-11
Last Ranking: 26
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), G (depth), DT (depth), MLB (depth), SLB (depth),
WLB (depth), CB (depth)
28) Washington Redskins: New head coach Mike Shanahan needs to make a quick
decision on the future of QB Jason Campbell. Defensively, expect new coordinator
Jim Haslett to be very aggressive.
Record: 4-12
Last Ranking: 28
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), G (veteran depth), LT (veteran depth), RT
(veteran depth), C (depth), DE (depth), WLB (depth), SLB (depth), S (veteran depth)
29) Kansas City Chiefs: The addition of Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator
should help move the offense in a positive direction. However, upgrades are
still needed on the offensive line, wide receiver, and tight end. The defense
needs major upgrades at linebacker and on the defensive line.
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: They have their quarterback of the future, but the
biggest issues remain on defense. The defensive line must find a better pass
rush next season. Depth and upgrades are also needed in the back-seven.
Record: 3-13
Last Ranking: 30
Needs Still to be Filled: 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: Major upgrades need to be made on both sides of the ball, but
most of the moves should come on offense. When you believe Matthew Stafford will
be your franchise quarterback for the next 10 years or so, you build the talent
around him.
Record: 2-14
Last Ranking: 31
Needs Still to be Filled: RB (depth), LT (depth), DE (upgrade), SLB (veteran depth),
SS (upgrade), CB (upgrade/depth)
32) St. Louis Rams: Their entire improvement on offense needs to be at the
quarterback position. It starts and ends there.
Record: 1-15
Last Ranking: 32
Needs Still to be Filled: QB (upgrade), LT (veteran depth), G (depth), DT (veteran depth),
DE (depth), SLB (veteran depth),
WLB (veteran depth), MLB (veteran depth), CB (veteran
depth), S (depth)