AFC Team Needs

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: QB, OT, NT, WR

Trent Edwards has failed to prove he can be the starter in Buffalo. The offensive line is also in shambles two years after the Jason Peters trade. The team needs a stud left tackle to protect whoever is the quarterback. With a new 3-4 defense, the team will also need a nose tackle since none of their current defensive linemen seem like an ideal fit.

Miami Dolphins: OLB, NT, FS
The Dolphins made two high priced acquisitions in Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby to fill their WR and ILB needs. However, with the departure of Joey Porter and probably Jason Taylor, the team needs a pass rusher at the outside linebacker position. Starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson will not be available to start the season as he serves a suspension and is getting up there in age. Gibril Wilson was cut leaving a void at free safety.

New England Patriots: OLB, DE, WR, TE
Adalius Thomas’ days in a Pats uniform are numbered. Tully Banta-Cain is an overachiever who is best as a situational pass-rusher. They need a complete outside linebacker in the mold of Mike Vrable. Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green are gone, leaving a big void at right defensive end. The offense needs playmakers as Wes Welker will not be at full strength and the only starting tight end with NFL experience is 32 year old Alge Crumpler.

New York Jets: FS, OLB, DE
Kerry Rhodes was shipped off for a fourth round pick to the Arizona Cardinals. Rex Ryan’s defense would only get even better with a ball-hawking free safety roaming in the secondary. The team could also use an upgrade at outside linebacker as 2008 first round pick Vernon Gholston has been a complete bust thus far.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: WR, C, LB
The Brandon Marshall trade has left the Broncos wide receiver corps without its best playmaker. The team needs to replace Marshall – possibly with Dez Bryant in order to improve on offense. They also needs a power blocking center as there is no one of starting caliber on the team. Former first round picks Jarvis Moss and Robert Ayers have yet to make an impact as 3-4 outside linebackers so the team could look for a pass rusher.

Kansas City Chiefs: OT, NT, FS, WR
Matt Cassel was sacked 42 times last year. 2008 first round pick Branden Albert is a better guard than left tackle so drafting a stud lineman at number five would improve the entire offensive line. The team also needs a playmaker in the secondary – perhaps Eric Berry? Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson seem set as the starting defensive ends, but the defense needs a run-stuffer up the middle.

Oakland Raiders: OT, DT, QB,
The offensive line continues to be a big problem in Oakland. Tom Cable is a former offensive line coach who knows the best way to build an offense is by protecting the quarterback and opening holes in the running game. The team also was shredded on defense in stopping the run. They need a big body in the middle to clog the running lanes. Quarterback is still a huge question mark as well.

San Diego Chargers: RB, NT, CB
L.T. is gone leaving the Chargers without a number one back. Ryan Matthews could be their first round choice if he’s available at 28. Jamal Williams also left via free agency so the team needs to find a new starter who can anchor the Chargers aggressive 3-4 defense.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: CB, WR, DE
The Ravens are thin at cornerback due to knee injuries to Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington. After trading for Anquan Boldin the team’s wide receiver need lessened, however, starter Derrick Mason may only have one year left and former first rounder Mark Clayton has been inconsistent at best. Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards left via free agency so the defensive line needs to be addressed.

Cincinnati Bengals: WR, FS, DL, TE
Chad Ochocinco is still a big time wide receiver, but outside of him, there isn’t a viable number two option. Look for a wide receiver to stretch the field to be brought in via the draft. They could also use a big time talent at safety (Earl Thomas?) Tight end is also a position that needs to be upgraded.

Cleveland Browns: QB, WR, S, DE, CB
The Cleveland Browns have little talent on the roster. Jake Delhomme is not a starter anymore and Seneca Wallace should be a backup. The wide receivers are young and inexperienced and no one on the roster looks to be a future number one. They could use a stud in the secondary (Joe Haden, Earl Thomas, Eric Berry) could be options.

Pittsburgh Steelers: OL, CB, WR
Ben Roethlisberger has gotten himself into a lot of trouble this off-season, but whoever starts for the Steelers this year, they better hope the offensive line is upgraded. The team is thin at cornerback as William Gay had a bad 2009 season and Ike Taylor is getting up there in age. The trade of Santonio Holmes leaves the team with a void at receiver.

AFC South

Houston Texans: RB, CB, S,
The Texans zone blocking scheme worked well for Steve Slaton in 2008, but 2009 was a disaster for the running game as a whole. The team has been linked to Ryan Matthews who seems like a good fit. They lost their best corner in Dunta Robinson to the Falcons. When you play against Peyton Manning twice a year, you need to have as many talented defensive backs as possible.

Indianapolis Colts: LT, DT, OLB
Tony Ugoh has not panned out as a high second round pick in 2007 and Charles Johnson should not be in charge of protecting Manning’s blind side. The team could look at Rodger Saffold or Charles Brown late in the first round. They also need to continue re-tooling a defensive line which needs to get tougher and bigger in the middle. A play maker at outside linebacker could also help out the defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: DE, MLB, CB, S
The Jaguars have a ton of needs on defense. They have the worst pass rush in the league as Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey have failed to make the impact the team expected when they aggressively traded up for both in the 2008 draft. Derrick Morgan or Jason Pierre-Paul would be good fits in the 4-3 defense. A thumper at middle linebacker would also solidify the front seven. The secondary is a major issue as Rashean Mathis hasn’t played as well as he did a few years ago and Reggie Nelson had a terrible 2009 campaign.

Tennessee Titans: DE, CB, LB, WR
The Titans lost Kyle Vanden Bosch via free agency and they don’t have anyone to put consist pressure on the quarterback. Everson Griffin, Brandon Graham, Morgan, or Pierre-Paul could go at 16 to the Titans. They also need to solidify the corner spot opposite Cortland Finnegan. Keith Bulluck probably won’t be back with the team so outside linebacker becomes an issue.