DRAFT NEEDS 

A team-by-team shopping list... 

BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE OR BIGGEST HOLE TO FILL? That's usually the key dilemma facing every team at the NFL Draft. While it's becoming increasingly clear who the best players available are, what are each team's biggest needs? A closer look at each organization's primary needs, secondary needs and pre-draft buzz... 

 Bears 

Primary Need: A quarterback to either replace Rex Grossman or push him. A simple rewind to the Super Bowl is enough to remind even the most casual observer that Grossman may not be the answer behind center for the NFC Champs.
Secondary Need: Depth at linebacker or a backup running back. The loss of Thomas Jones will hurt a little, but losing Lance Briggs would hurt even more. The Bears also need to consider some depth at defensive tackle, considering uncertainties surrounding Tank Johnson and Tommie Harris.
The Buzz: What happens with LB Lance Briggs will possibly play a role in what the Bears do at the draft. They reportedly almost dealt him to Washington to move up from No.31 in the first round to No.6, but that deal fell through.


 Bengals 

Primary Need: Players with character in general. Last year's seemingly constant legal troubles involving several team members really hurt the team on the field and in the community. Positionally, they need major help in the secondary, as the Bengals were tied for allowing the most pass yards in the NFL in 2006.
Secondary Need: A little more depth in their linebacking corps or on the defensive line. The uncertain future of David Pollack necessitates the need for more run-stoppers.
The Buzz: NFL commish Roger Goodell has vowed to crack down on player misbehaviour, and has targeted Cincy WR Chris Henry with that in mind. That suggests the Bengals will go with a safe pick, at least in terms of character issues.


 Bills 

Primary Need: A top-tier running back. Even with the now-departed Willis McGahee in the fold last season, the Bills finished 27th in the NFL in rush yards per game.
Secondary Need: Some tacklers, either at linebacker or on the defensive line. As bad as the Bills were running the ball in 2006, they were just as woeful at stopping other teams from running. The losses of Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher-Baker also hurt.
The Buzz: There are two key variables to keep in mind with the Bills: economics, and defense. With Marv Levy back running the show this team seems to be building with defense first, and their cost-conscious approach suggests they also may target players who will be easier to sign.


 Broncos 

Primary Need: Some size in the secondary. Despite major talents at the corners with Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, this team's entire secondary allows too many receptions.
Secondary Need: Depth on the defensive line. The fact Dan Wilkinson didn't show up and Courtney Brown didn't pan out means the Broncos will need to look elsewhere for talented big bodies as backups on the D-line.
The Buzz: Head coach Mike Shanahan recently signed a three-year extension with Denver, so he's in seemingly for the long haul. That means this team will be drafting with his philosophy in mind: looking for athletic, versatile, and underrated talents.


 Browns 

Primary Need: Help on the offensive line. This team had some bad luck on the O-line starting with LeCharles Bentley's injury, but they also didn't have the depth to make up for it. That was a big reason the offense struggled all season long in 2006.
Secondary Need: Quarterback. Charlie Frye has some talent but didn't rise to the occasion in 2006 the way the team had hoped he would.
The Buzz: Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn is an Ohio native and reportedly wants to play for the Browns, who may find it very hard to pass on him at No.3 overall. Team GM Phil Savage reportedly covets LSU QB JaMarcus Russell and the team probably needs Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas more than anything, but both those talents are likely to be gone with the top two picks in the draft.


 Buccaneers 

Primary Need: Playmakers in general on offense. Bringing in veteran QB Jeff Garcia is a nice step, but he isn't a cure-all for a Buccaneer offense that finished 31 st out of 32 NFL teams in scoring in 2006 with just 13.2 points per game.
Secondary Need: Youth on defense. Tampa has brought in some quality veteran defenders already via free agency, but they are already stocked with aging defenders. They need to start adding young depth for the future.
The Buzz: Many prognosticators believe Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson might land in Tampa Bay's lap at No.4 overall. He is widely considered the best player in the draft and the most talented receiver to come along in several years, and he would be a great fit for a rejuvenated Buccaneer offense. Otherwise, a QB makes some sense.


 Cardinals 

Primary Need: Help on the offensive line. Arizona wasn't terrible at protecting their quarterbacks in 2006, but they couldn't get Edgerrin James and the running attack going.
Secondary Need: Help in the secondary. The Cards can pass the ball almost as well as anyone, but they have a terrible time stopping other teams from doing the same.
The Buzz: The Cards are in a tough spot at No.5 overall. The best offensive lineman (Wisconsin's Joe Thomas) will likely be gone by the time Arizona picks, and there may not be defensive backs considered worthy of the No.5 selection. They might just go with the best player available, regardless of position.


 Chargers 

Primary Need: A game-breaking wide receiver. Antonio Gates is an elite target, but he's a tight end and after him the San Diego pass attack is a big question mark.
Secondary Need: Depth in the secondary. The Chargers made big strides in stopping other teams from passing on them in 2006, but they still need more talent in that area.
The Buzz: The impending possible departure of restricted free agent Michael Turner might have some affect on what the Chargers do on draft day. That said, picking at No.30 they don't have as much choice as other teams. Regardless, look for a smart pick and a player with lots of upside.


 Chiefs 

Primary Need: An elite wide receiver. All due credit should go to Eddie Kennison for producing year after year, but he is more of a possession guy at this point and tight end Tony Gonzalez isn't getting any younger.
Secondary Need: Depth on the offensive line. The Chiefs have always prided themselves on their elite protection unit, but it really took a beating in 2006 and suffered from the loss of Willie Roaf.
The Buzz: The likely impending trade of QB Trent Green might change the Chiefs' approach, and might help them move up from No.23 overall in the first round. For the first time in years, defense might not be their major draft concern heading into this one...


 Colts 

Primary Need: Top tacklers, at both linebacker and on the D-line. The Super Bowl champs lost key veterans Cato June and Montae Reagor from a run defense that was the NFL's worst in 2006.
Secondary Need: Overall offensive depth. Indy said goodbye to key backups Dominic Rhodes and Brandon Stokley over this offseason.
The Buzz: Despite all their glory the Colts remains somewhat of a small-market team, and that means they need to make wise choices with their money and their picks. They stole Joseph Addai last year at No.30 overall, so they may do something similar with No.32 this year.


 Cowboys 

Primary Need: Help in the secondary. The Cowboys are still one of the NFL's lesser teams when it comes to stopping the pass.
Secondary Need: A quality kicker. They got some good production from Martin Gramatica late last season after Mike Vanderjagt flopped, but he seems to be more of a stop-gap than a long-term solution.
The Buzz: New head coach Wade Phillips is a defense-first guy, and he loves to blitz. While Dallas already has the pieces in place for that, it wouldn't be surprising if they went for an athletic linebacker-end combo guy with pick No.22 in the first round.


 Dolphins 

Primary Need: Some offensive linemen. The Dolphins struggled to score in 2006 because of an inability to protect their playmakers. They're in major need of some quality big bodies up front.
Secondary Need: A solid young quarterback. Questions linger about whether Daunte Culpepper will make it all the way back, and Cleo Lemon is the team's only other option behind center.
The Buzz: At No.9 overall in the first round, the Dolphins have several options. There is a lot of talk that new head coach Cam Cameron is enamoured of Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, but at this point it appears Miami would have to move up to get him.


 Eagles 

Primary Need: Some help tackling. The recent addition of Takeo Spikes from Buffalo will help, but Philly has a tough time both stopping the run and finishing tackles.
Secondary Need: Wide receiver. There is some talent in the system with Reggie Brown and Hank Baskett, but the loss of Donte Stallworth hurts a team that leans heavily on the pass.
The Buzz: At No.26 in the first round, Philly is in a tough spot. They often use higher picks for defensive talent then gamble on offensive talent later on, but they may have a tough time passing on one of the several top-tier wideouts likely to be available late in Round One.


 Falcons 

Primary Need: Help in the secondary. Stopping opposing passers and quarterbacks was this team's Achilles heel in 2006, and the Falcons need depth and physicality in the secondary.
Secondary Need: Some beef on the offensive line. Despite Michael Vick's mobility, he got sacked a lot last season.
The Buzz: Now that Joey Harrington has been signed to back up Vick, it's tough to say what the Falcons will do since trading to move up to No.8 overall in the first round. Adding a stud QB prospect might be the smart move for the long term, but for now the team still seems sold on Vick.


 49ers 

Primary Need: Size and talent in the secondary. The free agent signing of Nate Clements helps a lot, but there is still much to do in that area depth-wise.
Secondary Need: Wide receiver. With Antonio Bryant now gone, young QB Alex Smith only has second-year tight end Vernon Davis and newcomer Ashley Lelie as established targets to throw to.
The Buzz: The recent major re-signing of RB Frank Gore makes it clear that the 'Niners are committed to running the ball. That said, it might be tough for San Fran to pass on some of the elite wideouts available at No.11 overall. Then again, the talent at defensive back is probably a little deeper around that point of the draft.