AFC Team Needs Curtis Popejoy

2007-02-17

LB OL DL Adalius Thomas might be lost to FA, and an eventual replacement for Ray Lewis is not on the roster. The starting O-line is solid, but they are one injury away from being just average. Like the O-line, the starters are in place along the defensive front, but there are no real big-time standouts, so all positions could be upgraded and/or depth added. LB OT CB London Fletcher is nearing retirement age, and that defense needs a playmaker in the middle. Some say Terrance Pennington is the answer at right tackle, but the only vote that counts is the Bills front office. Nate Clements is going to want stupid free agent money, so they’re probably going to lose him. Adding an instant playmaker in the defensive secondary becomes a priority. TE DL S This team looks stacked on offense, but adding a pass catching TE would really help Carson Palmer. Justin Smith was franchised, and this line just isn't very physical. They need big boys to stuff the run. That would help out the rest of the defense in a big way. The safety spot is sketchy. With Madieu Williams holding down one spot, when he's healthy, a big-time SS would certainly add some attitude to a soft defense. DL OL RB This team has never really addressed players that are specific to the scheme, and that's hurt them. A nose tackle is a must. The O-line, no matter what changes have been made, just continues to struggle. I don't see a spot on the line that doesn't need an upgrade, either as a starter or for depth. Rueben Droughns is not the answer. He looks great one game, invisible the next. There are some pieces in place at the skill positions, but RB, isn't one of them. DE S DT The Broncos had some success adding Elvis Dumervil last year as a situational player, but they could really stand to add an every down, impact DE, who can play the pass and the run. Foxworth will probably have to move to corner and John Lynch is getting older, so either or both positions could use an immediate upgrade. They’ve milked about all the production they can out of the former Browns. The Broncos really need an impact player in the middle of their D-line. LT S DT Yep, the Texans still need a tackle. They drafted two players last year in hopes one would be the future at LT, and one of them may never play again. This has been the Achilles heel of this team since its inception. The two safety spots have been forgotten by their front office. They just revolve average players in. This team needs a physical presence back there, to help the move to the 4-3. Defensive tackle is a need position as the transition to the 4-3 defense continues. They tried to plug players in last year, but it just didn't work. LB DT CB Looks like free agency could cost them at least one starter, and possibly two. Upgrades here will be needed early and often. When not-just-any-safety Bob Sanders was out, the soft gooey middle of this defense was obvious. They need a strong, penetrating defensive tackle to be the first line against the run. Free agency, once again, could cost them a starter, and Marlin Jackson is better served staying at safety. S CB WR There just aren't any big-time playmakers on the roster at safety. Whether it’s SS or FS, there is much room for improvement. Rashean Mathis is a great player and Brian Williams is alright, but the floor drops out on the depth chart after that. The Jaguars need a wide receiver. Huh? Can I be serious? Yep. They have a bunch of big bodies, who struggle to get separation and get in space. This team needs a slot-type player, someone who can get away from people, before and after the catch. DT WR OL Ryan Sims will never be worth the pick he was taken at. It's time for the Chiefs to admit that. The defense got better, but it's still a little undersized, so getting a fat boy, to slam in the middle, would be a big-time upgrade. Has any team gotten by with average receivers more than Kansas City? With Kennison and Gonzalez both getting older, and any depth unproven, it's time to add an impact player on the outside. This O-line went from experienced to old in one season. The tackle spot has more questions than answers and the interior is aging. LB DB OL Honestly, Zach Thomas can't play forever. No…really…he can't. Channing Crowder is a great young player, but the rest of the LB unit, needs help. If every DB they have develops quickly and plays well, this won't be such a need, but as it is, they could use some improvement sooner rather than later. Man, the Dolphins O-line looked lost at times. They have a couple of good players, but overall, there's a lot that can be made better. LB DB WR Guys like Mike Vrabel and Ted Bruschi are getting up there in age, and there really isn't anyone on the roster to step into those starting spots. Whether it's depth for the aging, and oft-injured Rodney Harrison or for the franchised Asante Samuel, they need players capable of stepping in and contributing in the secondary. Chad Jackson was MIA for most of the year and the rest of the group is just average. CB DT TE The Jets have a group of underachieving corners, really lacking in dynamic playmaking ability. Justin Miller has disappeared. There’s still a need for a true NT for the 3-4 defense. Pennington needs another weapon in the passing game, and in my opinion, a great receiving TE would really help Coles and Pennington. QB OL WR This team's QB depth chart is a mess. This franchisés only face is the wrinkled old man in the shiny track suit. This team needs a leader on the field, and that starts at QB. Robert Gallery has been stink on toast since he was drafted. Tackle has to be addressed early in this draft, no matter who is under center. It could be that Randy Moss and Jerry Porter will be gone, and if they are, that leaves the cupboard bare at wide out. OL LB RB Jeff Hartings has retired, and Max Starks, the underachieving RT, is a RFA. There’s going to need to be an overhaul on the right side. If the Steelers switch to the 4-3, they need a playmaker in the middle, and if they stick with the 3-4, they have to get an elite end rusher at OLB. Willie Parker played well, but he's alone.  The team was better when they had a back like Jerome Bettis to spell him. They thought they found him with Davenport, or still had him with Duce Staley, but that opening is still out there. S WR RB They are set at cornerback, but their revolving safeties remain a liability, and on a defense this great, there shouldn't be a hole like that. Vincent Jackson seems to be coming into his own, and at TE, Antonio Gates is a stud, but at some point, this team has to commit to a true #1 wide out. This is a moot point, unless Michael Turner leaves as a restricted free agent. Keeping LT fresh and healthy is the key to this team’s success, so if Turner goes, he has to be replaced quickly. DL WR DB The Titans D-line played over their heads last season, but the reality is, they need an elite rush end, as well as quality backups inside. Vince Young looks to be the answer to how this team gets turned around, so getting him a big-time target in the passing game would be huge. FS and depth at CB have to be top priorities for the Titans this year. Players like Lamont Thompson and André Woolfolk have been too inconsistent.