2007 NFL Team Needs
Updated March 19, 2007
by War Room Report Staff
 

NFC Team Needs

ARIZONA CARDINALS 

LT – The Cardinals are building a potent offense with 2006 1^st round pick Matt Leinart and one of the best receiving corps in the league. However the weakness along the offensive line has limited their success thus far. Oliver Ross is currently the projected LT for Arizona so an immediate replacement is needed.

DT – Darnell Dockett looks like he may be one of the answers along the defensive front but the Cardinals have been forced to employ several other DTs next to him. 

OLB - The Cardinals have one potential star in OLB Karlos Dansby, who regressed in 2006 after a strong rookie year. Former DE Calvin Pace or 3rd round pick Daryl Blackstock are the contenders at the other OLB spot and neither has produced thus far.

Others: MLB, OG, DE, RT

ATLANTA FALCONS 

OT – Wayne Gandy will be entering his 14^th season and Todd Weiner his 10^th, so the Falcons must address this position sooner rather than later. The Falcons have not placed a large emphasis on offensive tackle in recent years but that should change in 2007. 

DE - The Falcons lost Patrick Kearney to the Seahawks and are now counting on Chauncey Davis at the defensive end spot opposite of John Abraham. A difference maker at the position would help the Falcons defense overall.

S - Lawyer Milloy does not have much left and Chris Crocker has shown little early in his career. The Falcons could move Jimmy Williams to safety, which would increase the need at the cornerback position.

Others: RB, OLB, DT, CB

CAROLINA PANTHERS 

MLB – Dan Morgan’s career is in question and Chris Draft is unlikely to return The Panthers have a solid front four but must provide a sure tackler in the middle to make the system work.   

OLB – Na'il Diggs was resigned but he has not performed at a high level. Thomas Davis, originally a safety, has been moved to linebacker, but the Panthers, as a team with Super Bowl aspirations, could use an upgrade.

SS – The aforementioned Thomas Davis was supposed to be the answer here, but lacks the coverage skills to play safety. The Panthers do not have a legitimate starter at SS at this time.

Others: TE, QB, WR, OT

CHICAGO BEARS 

OLB – Lance Briggs is not happy about being franchised and Hunter Hillenmeyer is the weak spot of the Chicago defense. Adding a solid linebacker would make this imposing defense even stronger. 

OG – Reuben Brown has been a solid player for many years but this will be his 13^th season in the NFL, and on a deep team, that position may be addressed now. 

OT – Fred Miller is playing his 12^th NFL season and there is little depth behind him and John Tait at the tackle spots.  

Others: TE, WR, QB, RB

DALLAS COWBOYS 

CB – Terence Newman is one of the top corners in the league, but Anthony Henry is a liability starting across from him. Veteran Aaron Glenn is the nickelback, so a draft pick could immediately make a difference. Anthony Henry also may be moving to safety. 

WR – The Cowboys have two solid starters, but both receivers are 33 years old. Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd have not showed that they can be starters in the NFL.  

NT – The 3-4 system employed by Dallas needs a large, run stuffing defensive tackle. Jason Ferguson is a ten year NFL veteran and Dallas may benefit from an upgrade here. 

Others: FS, OG, DE, QB

DETROIT LIONS 

DE – The Lions signed Dewayne White to play one defensive end position, but are still lacking a solid starter at the other position. Jared DeVries and Kalimba Edwards are better rotational players than a NFL caliber starters.  

QB – Jon Kitna had a decent season in 2006, but is certainly not a long term answer. Josh McCown has never shown much and Dan Orvlosky has yet to break out. The Lions must find a long term answer and leader at quarterback. 

MLB - Packer castoff Paris Lenon is currently the starter at middle linebacker, which in the Cover 2 defense of Rod Marneilli, is forced to play several roles.

Others: CB, LT, OG, FS

GREEN BAY PACKERS 

RB – Ahman Green signed with Houston leaving Vernand Morency as the #1 back on the roster. Morency has yet to prove he can be a running back that can carry the ball full time, and there is little quality depth behind him.

SS – Marquand Manuel was signed as a free agent before the 2006 season, but showed little, being a liability in pass coverage and having limited success in assisting the run. 

WR - Green Bay's 2006 2nd round pick Greg Jennings made the All-Rookie team, but faded as the season progressed. The Packers have could use another playmaker at the WR spot.

Others: CB, TE, OLB, DT

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 

WR – Troy Williamson is an obvious bust, Koren Robinson was cut after multiple off the field issues, and Marcus Robinson was released after a conflict with the coaching staff. Williamson and free agent signing Bobby Wade are currently the starting WRs for the Vikings, who need a reliable target for young QB Tavaris Jackson. 

DE – The Vikings have tried to address this position multiple times, but were not able to rush the passer in 2006. Former first round pick Kenechi Udeze had 0 sacks in 2006 and Erasmus James tore his ACL, so the Vikings need to find a playmaker at this position. 

OLB – When Ben Leber is starting for you, outside linebacker is definitely a need. Chad Greenway tore his ACL in the pre-season and additional depth is needed here regardless of Greenway’s status. 

Others: CB, FS, OT, QB

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 

OLB – The Saints advanced to the NFC Championship game based almost solely on offense, as they have one of the weakest linebacking corps in the league. Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle are both journeymen types. The Saints have not seriously addressed this position in recent years and need two starters here. 

CB – Fred Thomas was repeatedly abused in the playoffs by the Eagles and Bears. The larger commentary is probably that the Saints felt he was there best option, revealing the lack of depth the Saints have at the cornerback position. 31 year old Jason Craft was the team’s nickelback. 

DT - The Saints have Hollis Thomas and Brian Young, two steady players in the middle, but lack reliable depth. Thomas is 33 years old and has had injury issues in the past. The Saints could use a playmaker in the middle.

Others: TE, WR, MLB, OG

NEW YORK GIANTS 

OLB - The Giants released 2006 starting OLBs Carlos Emmons and Lavar Arrington in the off-season. Gerris Wilkinson is likely to step into one starting spot, but the Giants need to find a second reliable starter.

OT - The Giants also cut OT Luke Pettigout, forcing converted guard David Diehl to be the projected starter at this point. The Giants have no real depth at the tackle spot and need a solid tackle to protect young QB Eli Manning.

CB – Corey Webster has not lived up to his promise thus far and the Giants 28^th ranked pass defense played much of the year with free agent acquisition R.W. McQuarters and ten year veteran Sam Madison starting. A corner to challenge Webster and replace the aging veterans is definitely needed. 

Others: DT, OG, SS, WR

OLB – The Eagles have drafted as well as any team in recent years, and appear to have their starters set at many positions. One area that the Eagles have neglected using a high pick on is outside linebacker. 2006 pick Omar Gaither showed some promise, but the Eagles are not enamored with Dhani Jones on the weak side. While the Eagles do have decent depth at the position, it is still the weak point of a strong team. 

SS – Sean Considine replaced Michael Lewis during the 2006 season, but he is not the premier player a team like the Eagles needs at strong safety. Add in the fact that Brian Dawkins will be playing his 12^th NFL season, and the Eagles certainly need to add at least one safety. 

CB – Lito Shepherd is a Pro Bowl corner and Sheldon Brown is certainly an adequate starter. The Eagles have former New York Giant William James as their nickelback, but he will be a free agent after the season and the Eagles have long placed an emphasis on the position.

Others: MLB, FS, DT, OG

 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 

MLB – The 49ers really overachieved in 2006 behind Mike Nolan, and appear to be making strides towards the future, especially in a weak division. In the 3-4 System of Nolan, they are really lacking the ideal middle linebacker. Derrick Smith and Jeff Ulbrich are serviceable, but not anyone to fear. 

WR - The 49ers parted ways with Antonio Bryant and signed Ashley Lelie in the off-season. The WR position still remains a weak spot and the team must find a reliable target for young QB Alex Smith.

DE - San Francisco has depth at the DE position, but could use a young star to assist with the 3-4 scheme. Starters Bryant Young and Marques Douglas are both on the wrong side of thirty.

Others: FS, OG, OLB, CB

 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 

DT – The Seahawks team fell from their 2005 success slightly, but that can be mostly attributed to injuries, as they still have one of the most talented teams in the NFL. The Seahawks struggled to stop the run, as Marcus Tubbs has not worked out, and Chartric Darby is a weak spot 

OG – Floyd Womack is best serviced as a back up and Chris Gray will be 37 at the start of the season. 2006 pick Rob Sims demonstrated some ability, but adding another guard is a must for this team. 

TE - The Seahawks lost Jerramy Stevens in the off-season and replaced him with Marcus Pollard. Pollard is a better blocker than a receiver. Pollard is 35 years old and not the target a West Coast offense needs.

Others: OT, RB, DE, QB

ST LOUIS RAMS 

OLB – The Rams finished next to last in the league in stopping the rush in 2006, (which could be partially attributed to playing the AFC West and Frank Gore twice), and had one of the worst defenses overall. Neither Brandon Chillar or Pisa Tinosiamoa are even adequate NFL starters at outside linebacker. 

DT - Veteran La'Roi Glover was the Rams most effective DT in the 2006 season, but at 33 years old, he does not have many years left. Former first round pick Jimmy Kennedy has been a bust.

OG – The two starting guards for the Rams have played in the league a combined 25 years. Despite having one of the best young backs in the league, the Rams finished in the bottom half of rushing and need to address the offensive line. 

Others: FS, SS, CB, QB

TAMPA BAY BUCS 

DT – The strength of the Bucs has always been defense, but giving up on draft picks to acquire Jon Gruden and focusing on offense has let the defense get very old. Chad Hovan and Ellis Wyms both are probably best suited as role players, and Booger McFarland was traded to Indianapolis.  

WR – Michael Clayton displayed ability in his rookie season, but has significantly regressed the previous two seasons. Joey Galloway has had two strong seasons, but is going to be 36 years old. There is no depth behind those two players. 

DE – Greg Spires and Simeon Rice are advancing in age and the signing of Kevin Carter is perplexing. The Bucs managed a meager 25 sacks last season and must upgrade the pass rush to make the Cover 2 system work. 

Others: CB, SS, OT, C

WASHINGTON REDSKINS 

DE – The neglect that Washington has paid to the draft is starting to show. Andre Carter was signed to be the pass rushing threat that Washington needed, but disappointed with only six sacks. Veteran Philip Daniels started at the other end spot and the Skins have no youth at the position. Washington finished last in the league with only 19 sacks, an unacceptable number. 

DT – Rookie Kedric Golston provided some solid playing time, but veteran Cornelius Griffin is not getting the job done, and Golston is probably best suited as a rotational player. The Redskins with only one first day pick will be hard pressed to address all of their needs. 

SS - Highest priced FA signing Adam Archuleta has been relegated to special teams duty, after not working in the Redskins scheme. Vernon Fox is the current starter at the SS position.

Others: OG, OLB, CB, OT