So what does your team need to take it to the next level? I have broken down each teams 3 biggest needs they shoud be looking to fill dueing the offseason.

2007 NFL Team Needs
By: Jeremy Miller



Arizona Cardinals

• Offensive Tackle – If the Cardinals are to take it to the next step on offense, they need to improve up front. The Tackle position is an obvious place to start.
• Outside Linebacker – They needs a dynamic playmaker opposite of Dansby. The talent level there presently is mediocre at best.
• Defensive Back – Wilson and Rolle are great building blocks, but the rest of the defensive backfield is either old or mediocre. Upgrade in talent level is necessary.

Atlanta Falcons

• Safety – This group is in desperate need of change. Milloy is on his last legs and Crocker is simply not a NFL level free safety.
• Wide Receiver – Petrino is going to want to throw the ball and to do this he needs to get some sure handed WR’s. Drops have killed this offense in recent years despite using first round picks on Jenkins and White.
• Defensive Tackle – This is an area where some talented depth could use to be added.

Baltimore Ravens

• Running Back – The Ravens appear ready to let Jamal Lewis go. If they do, a replacement will be needed. Mike Anderson and Musa Smith are not the answer. Do you think they regret letting Chester taylor walk now?
• Offensive Guard – This team could look to improve upfront in the middle. Depth is also needed here.
• Quarterback – Make no mistake, McNair was a much-needed improvement last season. However, he is not a long-term solution, and we all know Boller isn’t the answer. A young guy to learn behind McNair would be a good idea.

Buffalo Bills

• Offensive Tackle – A lot of the Bills offensive problems start right here. It’s time to rebuild the Tackle spots.
• Linebacker – An aging and undersized unit. A young playmaker in this unit is needed.
• Wide Receiver – Price, Reed, Parrish…ugh! This team needs a reliable number two receiver to take some pressure off of Evans.

Carolina Panthers

• Linebacker – Hard to count on Dan Morgan at this point so the organization has to proceed as if he won’t return. Need to improve the overall talent level and depth at the linebacker positions.
• Tight End – This is an area where the Panthers need to add a receiving threat to take some pressure off of this offense and enable them to attack the middle of the field.
• Quarterback – With Delhomme struggling last year and no solid back-up on the roster, they need to look into bringing in a young guy to develop for the future.

Chicago Bears

• Offensive Line – This is a solid unit, but age is starting to take its toll and overall depth is not strong. A youth movement is needed to supply depth now and to be the face of the line for the future.
• Defensive Tackle – Everyone saw what happened when Tommie Harris went down and Tank Johnson got into legal issues. The depth at this position needs to be improved.
• Safety – Another position where depth is a major question mark. Mike Brown is an injury concern and the depth behind him his mediocre.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Defensive Back – Both safety and cornerback are positions that are in need of difference makers. Adding another young playmaker to the secondary is a likely strategy come draft day.
• Linebacker – This unit that was wrecked by injury and suspension last year. Pollack’s career is in question and no one knows what is going on with Thurman. This unit needs to be rebuilt again.
• Defensive End – Smith has been tagged and Gathers was inked long term. Even with these moves, more talent at this position is needed.

Cleveland Browns

• Offensive Line – Both Tackle and Guard is a need for this team. The overall talent level up-front must be improved if this team wants to see improvement.
• Defensive Line – Old and unspectacular is the best way to describe this unit. They are in need of playmakers upfront to make their 3-4 scheme click.
• Quarterback – Frye and Anderson are not the answer. A franchise QB is still needed.

Dallas Cowboys

• Free Safety – If they are going to keep Williams at safety they need to bring in an excellent cover safety that can make plays in the secondary.
• Offensive Line – Help at both Tackle and Guard is needed. Talent level needs to be improved.
• Defensive Tackle – A space eater to eventually replace Ferguson in the middle is needed.

Denver Broncos

• Defensive Line - Both their ends and Tackles are solid players, but they are still missing an impact player that offenses must game plan to stop.
• Cornerback – The tragic death of Darrent Williams has made this an area of concern for the Broncos.
• Offensive Tackle – Depth is needed here. Their line play has been dropping off the last couple years and improvement on the outside should help.

Detroit Lions

• Offensive Line – Notice a trend? Most of the teams at the top of the draft need to improve their line play. Detroit is no different. The overall talent level here must be improved.
• Defensive End – A dynamic pass rusher is a definite need for this team.
• Quarterback – Kitna is solid, but that is it, and McCown couldn’t take the job from him so I wouldn’t bank on him as the future either. Need some new blood at this position.

Green Bay Packers

• Defensive Back – A replacement of Manual at Strong Safety is needed, as is depth at Cornerback. After Harris and Woodson, there is nothing to write home about.
• Defensive End – Gbaja-Biamila is no longer an answer outside. In fact, he is a huge question mark. A young pass rusher is needed to provide a spark and depth to this unit.
• Running Back – Green had a nice 2006, but he is still an injury concern and the depth behind him is in need of improvement.

Houston Texans

• Offensive Tackle – The offensive line is still a huge problem area for the Texans and they are still searching for a solid left tackle to anchor that position.
• Safety – Possibly the worst staring safety combination in the league. Immediate upgrades are needed, and by looking at C.C. Brown and Glenn Earl, improvements won’t be hard to find.
• Running Back – When Ron Dayne plays a significant amount of time for your team; running back has to be an area of immediate concern.

Indianapolis Colts

• Defensive Tackle – Despite a drastic improvement in the playoffs, their run D leaves a lot to be desired. A big run stuffing DT is just what this team is looking for.
• Linebacker – Cato June could be leaving via free agency and Gilbert Gardener is not a guy you wan to have to start in the NFL. Help in this department should be a priority.
• Offensive Line – This unit’s play was a little shaky in 06. Youth and depth is needed.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Outside Linebacker – An elite playmaker could excel with the talent level they have to surround him.
• Defensive Back – Depth is the need here. They are above average at the starting positions but have little depth behind them.
• Defensive End – A pass rusher opposite of McCray would solidify this already stout defensive front.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Wide Receiver – How much longer can this offense survive without a true number one WR? My guess is not much longer. They need to find a playmaker that can command some attention outside.
• Offensive Tackle – The loss of Roaf would hurt any team, but the Chiefs did a nice job of making due without him last year. It is not time to rebuild the position.
• Defensive Tackle – The Ryan Sims experiment should be over. They need to find someone who can provide a push up the middle.

Miami Dolphins

• Offensive Line – They are in need of an upgrade at Left Tackle and Guard play is still shaky as well. The overall talent level should be improved here if this team is going to compete for the division title.
• Secondary – This was the trouble area for this defense last season. They routinely got beat by the big play. They need more talent at both the corner and safety spots.
• Linebacker – An upgrade over Donnie Spragan is a must and Zach Thomas is not getting any younger, youth in the middle would be helpful.

Minnesota Vikings

• Wide Receiver – The Vikings are in desperate need of a go to WR. Williamson has not turned into that guy, and it is doubtful he ever will. They need to get a consistent playmaker to take pressure off of the rest of the offense.
• Offensive Line – The right side of this line needs to be upgraded. Depth is also thin across the board.
• Quarterback – Do you believe Tarvaris Jackson is the answer? I don’t. Jacksoin may pan out some day, but that’s a big MIGHT. They can’t pin this position on this long shot. Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger don’t exactly sound like great back up plans. They need someone who can play at the pro level consistently now.

New England Patriots

• Wide Receiver – The playing status of Chad Jackson for the 2007 season is now in doubt after a torn ACL in the AFC Championship game. This means an already weak receiving corps just got weaker. A dynamic playmaker is needed.
• Safety – Harrison’s best days are behind him. It is time for the Patriots to start looking for a playmaker who can perform on a consistent basis.
• Linebacker – This group is in serious need of a youth movement. Look for them to add some this year in the draft.

New Orleans Saints

• Cornerback – Fred Thomas is not quality starter at this level. The Saints need to bring in a replacement to cut down on the big plays this defense gives up.
• Defensive Tackle – This team is in need of someone to provide a puch up the middle. Thomas will likely be gone via free agency and there is little depth developed to replace him.
• Linebacker – This is an average group that is in need of a playmaker who can step up and become the leader of this unit.

New York Giants

• Cornerback – The veteran movement did not work, it is time for a talented youth movement for the Giants at cornerback. Madison has durability and age concerns and from there it only goes down hill.
• Offensive Tackle – With the release of injury prone Left Tackle, Luke Petitgout, the Giants are in need of a left tackle to replace him.
• Running Back – Can Brandon Jacobs carry the load in 2007? It would be wise for the Giants to draft a compliment to Jacobs so he doesn’t have to.

New York Jets

• Running Back – The Jets have an army of back-up RB’s who can be nice back-ups. What they need is a true workhorse that can carry the load.
• Defensive Line – An outside pass rusher and inside run stopper are both needs for the Jets defensive front.
• Cornerback – Depth at corner is a weakness. With Miller struggling to stay in the starting line-up, a solid corner should be brought in.

Oakland Raiders

• Quarterback – What a mess. Brooks is not the answer and Walter was painful to watch last season when given the chance to start. Drafting a QB with the first pick in the draft seems like a no brainer…but this is the Raiders we are talking about.
• Offensive Line – Despite having a couple highly regarded prospects on this line, they have failed to produce at the NFL level. It is time to start over up front. No job should be safe.
• Wide Receiver – Moss and Porter have given up and are nothing but problems at this point. They need to start over here as well.

Philadelphia Eagles

1. Outside Linebacker – They simply need more production out of their outside linebackers. There is some potential here, but an impact player would greatly improve this defense.
2. Safety - Brain Dawkins will be 34 this season and it is unclear if they have any answers at Strong Safety. Drafting a safety on the first day of the draft would seem to be a good idea.
3. Offensive Tackle – Starters are still strong, but Runyan and Thomas are not getting any younger. A young Tackle to groom behind these two is needed.

Ravens:

I would say that Demtrius Williams is going to be a nice deep threat to pair with Clayton. Mason should be fine this year. The biggest need is going to be RB. They are not going to give Jamal that 5 million so he is going to get cut.

Panthers :

- Saftey : Minter is gaining in years and we have no depth really at this spot. I would like them to address this along with LB situation.

- WR might be an issue. All depends on Johnson and if he retires. This maybe address by FA, like last year. Carter and Colbert are iffy in their production, MHO.

- TE game in Carolina has been one of blocking more than receiving. This should be changing though with Jeff Davidson and Dave Magazu as new offensive coaches, and both have view that TE should be involved more in the passing game. Not sure if Mangum (Has talked of retirement though) or Gaines has what it takes. King I think is still young and hasn't played much in Carolina. Maybe address this in FA, Wiggins looking at them was once floating around,or take a descent TE if avail that late in the draft.

With the news on them not planning to retain Lewis, I agree, a replacement is necessary.

I also agree that Williams coupld be a nice player down the road, but not a slam dunk either. They coupld still use to add another threat there. But at this point, I agree, RB is a more pressing need. Thanks for the feedback.

Updated through Philadelphia

Would Quinn be an answer for Carolina? It would be an interesting prospect and a possibility considering Quinn looks to be falling down the Draft Poll. Carolina has also signed Chris Horn which gives them a steady performer at WR.

With the signing of Walker in FA, the Bills won't take a tackle high. They may grab one on day 2. They like Peters' size and mobility. He is young and new at the tackle position but has showed progress.

With Fletcher gone, they need a new MLB. Spikes is rumored to be on the trading block. LB is a position of need.

After Evans, the WR position is a disaster.

I would also look for the Bills to take a RB high in the draft. They are actively shopping McGahee. They want to resign ATrain but should have young RB with talent waiting in the wings.

Linebacker isn't really one of the Fins' needs. DT is more urgent and so is WR.

So you feel Donnie Spragan is a starting caliber LB??? Give me whatever it is your smoking my good man, I could use it today!

No, he's clearly not and he won't be back with the team anyway, however the Fins don't need anything more than an average LB for fill that slot (although I'd be happy if Porter signed with the Fins.) Either way, DT and WR are still far more urgent needs than LB.

*coughs and points to Porter signing*

You were saying about Linebackers?

lol, the signing proves my point!! THe dolphins obviously felt this was a huge need as well. Great job by the Dolphins by identifying a huge weakness in an other wise good unit and going out and filling it!! If LB wasn't a need, I guess Porter wouldn't have been signed!!!

Man I love being right

Your GM obviously disagreed with you.......They got Porter for a reason ,and it wasn't to be an average LB.

I'm more than happy the Fins signed Porter, but it wasn't necessary. There were other LBs that could've been perfectly adequate if Porter went somewhere else. It wasn't a huge need; a need, yes, but DT and DB are bigger ones.

With the Jets getting Thomas RB is not tops at this point . DL / OL & CB are our needs . A decent LB would also be nice .

Thanks for the update, this was done pre free agency, so obviously some of the needs have been filled.

Also, sorry I did not get the chance to finish this, wanted to get them all done before free agency hit, but that did not happen.

We were and still are very cheap in this FA period . Instead of throwing the cash at old vets we seem to be heading to restocking via the draft . I guess that is a good thing in the long run .

I was listening to a local sports station yesterday, and there was a pretty good topic being discussed regardin NFL Teams and Freen Agent signings. Many opinions thrown back and forth, but the main point being made was that more and more teams appear to be avoiding making these big free agent signings, because more often than not, they don't work anymore.

Now, if you go back to the 90's, it seemed to be a different story. Using Dallas as an example, getting Jay Novacheck and Charles Haley were key in bringing two Super Bowls to Dallas. Once teams caught up, another key signing in Deion Sanders provided what was needed to get another Super Bowl ring. The reason for it though was because the team was already loaded with talent, and not watered down by the salary cap. You could bring in a player or two to get you over the top.

Now, it is extremely important to draft well and spend very wisely. While in certain ways this is good (for those who like parity), it has resulted in a loss of team loyalty. More and more, players have simply become businessmen wearing shoulder pads. They sign contracts to get started in the "business", then as soon as they seen they have value, they will hold out of the contract they signed to get all the money they can "now". Who can blame them? On the opposite side of the coin, the business owners and CEO's (team owners and GM's) will cut the same contracts that many fans expect players to honor for the sake of "saving salary cap space". More often than not, the latter doesn't happen to the people we don't like, it happens to the blue collar players that we do like.

How I ended up on that rant, I do not know.

Well written Mike . Like death and taxes , it is here to stay .

Not to be a homer, but this is why you never see Pittsburgh making headlines in the offseason, except when they lose someone. They prefer drafting future all-pros than overpaying current ones.