2008 New York Jets Team Needs

Offensive Tackle: D’Brickashaw Ferguson still has a lot of room to improve, but he figures to occupy the left side of the line for New York over the next several years.  The Jets cut Anthony Clement, which likely means they will look to the draft to find a right tackle.

Wide Receiver: New York cut Justin McCareins, and Laveranues Coles is not exactly getting any younger.  Jerricho Cotchery appears ready to be a No. 1 wideout in this league, but he would benefit from the Jets drafting some young playmakers to rescue him from being double covered every passing down. 

Linebacker: Jonathan Vilma has left town, and Victor Hobson is a free agent.  The Jets did bring in Calvin Pace, which makes their defense instantly better.  David Harris is already a star at inside linebacker, and Eric Barton is a steady force on the inside as well.  New York clearly has talent at linebacker, but you can never have enough depth at linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.

Defensive End: Kenyon Coleman and Shaun Ellis are adequate at the position, but they both seem better suited for the 4-3 defense, rather than the 3-4.  Even though Coleman and Ellis have long term contracts, don’t be surprised if the Jets decide to look to the draft to find defensive end(s) that will will thrive in the 3-4.

Draft Candidates: OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh, OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College, WR Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech, WR Early Doucet, LSU, LB Quentin Groves, Auburn, LB Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt, DE Kendall Langford, Hampton, DE Kenny Iwebema, Iowa

2008 New England Patriots Team Needs

Linebacker: Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau are not getting any younger, and with the lack of depth at linebacker, the Patriots might be forced to move Adalius Thomas back to the inside. Bill Belichick does not like to take linebackers early in the draft as he feels the position is too complex to grasp right away.  However, the need might be too strong this year to allow him to wait too many rounds before selecting some linebacker help.

Cornerback: Ashante Samuel and Randall Gay have left town, which left New England scrambling for some corner help this off-season as they signed Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster, and Lewis Sanders.  The aforementioned trio may not seem exciting on paper, but Belichick has been known to make average players become stars in his secondary.  That being said, the Patriots could still afford to bring in some young talent at cornerback via the draft.

Running back: Laurence Maroney is a quality running back, but it seemed like New England rested him towards the middle of the season to allow him to be fresh down-the-stretch. It seems like it would be more productive to bring in another running back that can help shoulder the load.  Kevin Faulk is the man at keeping the chains moving on third down conversions, but he is not an every down back.  New England has the flexibility to wait until later rounds, or invest an early pick, to bring in another running back that can split carries with Maroney.

Safety: James Sanders is a very respectable player, but Rodney Harrison is one year closer to retirement.  In other words, it would be a good time to bring in some young talent in at the safety position.  Brandon Meriweather fits that description, but he did not play well as a rookie.  Belichick will likely try to work his magic and find a gem late in the draft to give the Patriots some depth at safety.

Draft Candidates: DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State, LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma, LB Phillip Wheeler, Georgia Tech, CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech, CB Charles Godfrey, Iowa, S D.J. Wolfe, Oklahoma, S Josh Barrett, Arizona State, RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina, RB Thomas Brown, Georgia

2008 Miami Dolphins Team Needs

Defensive Tackle: The Dolphins finished in last place in terms of run defense in 2007, which means their interior defense is a clear need that must be addressed in the draft.  Miami could also use some help on the edge as they were only able to sack opposing quarterbacks 30 times last season. Look for the Dolphins to draft some space eaters to free up their linebackers as well as a speed rusher to line up opposite Jason Taylor.

Wide Receiver: Last season, Chris Chambers was traded out of Miami, and Marty Booker signed with the Bears in the off-season.  The Dolphins devoted a first round pick in 2007 to Ted Ginn Jr., but he was very inconsistent in his rookie campaign.  Miami will likely look to draft another wideout early in the draft this year. 

Quarterback: Trent Green and Cleo Lemon have left town, and John Beck is entering just his second pro season.  In 2007, Beck did not look like he was ready for the NFL when he saw action.  The Dolphins did bring in Josh McCown as a serviceable option, but they figure to draft a young arm to provide some competition behind center. 

Tight End: David Martin has failed to be able to stretch the field, which is an attribute that Bill Parcells covets in a tight end. Parcells drafted a couple tight ends in the early rounds when he was coaching the Dallas Cowboys, so it would not come as a shock if he has Miami select one this year. 

Draft Candidates: QB Matt Ryan, QB, Chad Henne, Michigan, WR Andre Caldwell, Florida, WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State, TE Brad Cottam, Tennessee, DE Chris Long, Virginia, DE Kendall Langford, Hampton, DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina, DT Red Bryant, Texas A&M

2008 Buffalo Bills Team Needs

Wide Receiver: Lee Evans would love Buffalo to draft a talented No. 2 wide receiver to limit opposing teams from double covering him on obvious passing downs.  The trio of Peerless Price, Josh Reed, and Roscoe Parrish have never really lived up to their potential and are all No. 3 wide receivers, at best.

Tight End: Robert Royal is serviceable, but he certainly doesn’t strike fear in opposing defenses.  Trent Edwards likes to target the tight end position, which means a talented rookie could make a significant impact.  Buffalo could really benefit from bringing in a tight end that could stretch the middle of the field.

Cornerback: The Bills did sign William James away from the Philadelphia Eagles.  However, the signing of James doesn’t exactly solve their issues at corner.  Terrence McGee is more of a star on special teams than he is in the secondary, and Ashton Youboty has yet to live up to his third round selection (2006).  The team could use some healthy competition in their secondary.

Outside Linebacker: Last season, Keith Ellison and Angelo Crowell combined for just three sacks off the edge.  The Bills clearly diagnosed their need as they signed Kawika Mitchell from the New York Giants.  Even with the addition of Mitchell, Buffalo will still need to bring in some bodies that can put some heat on the quarterback.

Draft Candidates: WR Malcolm Kelly, WR Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina, TE Fred Davis, USC, TE Martin Rucker, Missouri, CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech, CB Trae Williams, South Florida, LB Quentin Groves, Auburn

K Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons

How Jason Elam will help the Atlanta Falcons: Elam has reached 100 points in each of his 15 seasons in the NFL.  Last season, Elam proved he still has some life left in his leg as he finished the year making 15 consecutive field goals.  He also split the uprights with four game-winning kicks in 2007.

If you throw out the 2000 season where he was unable to play in three games, Elam has made at least 20 field goals every year. Even with the aforementioned partial season in 2000, Elam has only missed four games in his career.

Fantasy Outlook: Bottom line, Elam has made over 80 percent of his field goals and over 99 percent of his extra points in his career, and he can be cemented in for making at least 25 field goals in 2008.