2009 NFL Draft needs for the AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS
WIDE RECEIVER: WR Derrick Mason is on his last legs and the Ravens will either have to dole out the cash to retain WR Mark Clayton after next season or have to watch him walk. Even if Clayton remains in the fold, the Ravens should have their eye out for a receiver of the future to provide QB Joe Flacco with another target. Waiting until next year could put them in a bad spot if whoever they draft ends up disappointing (not likely with Newsome at the helm).
LINEBACKER: LB Bart Scott is off to greener (pun intended) pastures and ILB Ray Lewis can’t play every down forever. The time is nigh to inject this unit with some fresh legs and perhaps a hybrid 3-4 pass rusher is the best route.
DEFENSIVE END: If the Ravens do find the aforementioned hybrid pass rusher, their defensive line would benefit as well. There is enough to get by here, but to remain the stingy and physical defense in the years to come, an upgrade and/or replacements are needed.
CINNCINATI BENGALS
OFFENSIVE LINE: The Bengals have been shedding weight at the tackle spot, losing RT Stacy Andrews to the Eagles and free agency and there is a strong possibility that LT Levi Brown will be gone soon as well. The Brown ordeal started when he asked for a trade before last years draft, and escalated when there were differences with him and the organization about how to handle his injuries. Brown had a down year, but is a premier tackle when healthy and a loss/gain for any team. With the QB situation becoming grim, no proven running attack and a game of musical chairs unfolding in the trenches; the line will have to undergo reconstruction and it can’t wait for the second day of the draft.
RUNNING BACK: I don’t buy into RB Cedric Benson, period. While he provided a semblance of a run game to the Bengals last year, he’s never played a full 16 games, has been in trouble, and isn’t explosive. RB Chris Perry has disappointed when given the shot and RB Kenny Watson is not a full-time back.
DEFENSIVE LINE: An upgrade is needed sorely to strengthen the Bengals ability to apply pressure to the quarterback, which will in turn provide support for the so-so cornerbacks. If not a defensive end, a player like Boston College DT B.J. Raji would be the right fit to bolster the run “D” and hide the weakness at MLB.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
LINEBACKER: Signing LB Eric Barton does not fill the need completely, so look for Mangini to use one of his four draft picks trying to find a versatile outside linebacker.
WIDE RECEIVER: WR Donte Stallworth could be serving serious jail-time depending on the outcome of the investigation in Miami after he hit and killed a pedestrian who was crossing the road. WR Braylon Edwards is a free agent after next year and it is relatively unknown if the Browns are willing to extend their relationship with him and vice versa. Edwards is one of the best receivers in the game when he’s “on”, but the organization is concerned with his concentration lapses and erratic hands.
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS
OFFENSIVE LINE: It doesn’t necessarily matter which position, but at least one upgrade along the line would be welcome for a unit that went largely ignored last offseason. QB Ben Roethlisberger will likely be begging for a lineman to be drafted on day one considering the drubbings administered to him on a weekly basis (49 sacks).
DEFENSIVE LINE: It’s the over 30 club along the defensive line. Expect the Steelers to invest for the future with at the very least one draft pick, probably more. Drafting the successor to NT Casey Hampton is becoming an increasing priority.
SAFETY: FS Anthony Smith was sent packing, an obvious eventuality after losing face with “the guarantee” and being charred by Moss. What are the chances SS Troy Polamalu will remain healthy for 16 games and the playoffs? FS Ryan Clark’s physical play (see his TKO of Ravens RB Willis McGahee in the AFC Championship) also leaves him vulnerable to getting dinged up. S Ryan Mundy could see more playing time, but the Steelers may draft for depth here.
By:
Michael Kist
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer