Yesterday, Tom Marino went through all seven rounds in his Mock
Draft. Today, he breaks down each teams' biggest needs and shows how they
might be addressed in the NFL Draft later this month.
Teams are listed alphabetically. To show where each pick comes from, please
check out the full Mock
Draft by round.
Arizona Cardinals
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Offensive
Line |
Haven't run the ball successfully since O.J.
Anderson. Underachieving
Leonard Davis exit via free agency hurts. |
| Running
Back |
Edgerrin James is nearing the end of a great
career. New blood is needed
to jump start offense |
| Cornerback |
Free agent addition Roderick Hood is a
journeyman performer |
| Safety |
Wilson is at the top of his game.
Free Agent addition Holt is a steady workmen like player. |
Arizona Cardinal Draft Projection:
Atlanta Falcons
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Safety |
Landry starts about the time he arrives at
baggage claim. Age has caught
up to Milloy. |
| Wide
Receiver |
A healthy Joe Horn will improve this sub par
group. Former top round selections White & Jenkins have been
disappointing |
| Offensive
Tackle |
Left tackle is a 14 year vet and isn't going to
get better |
| Running
back |
Little man Dunn is now in 11th year.
Norwood showed flashes as a rookie |
| Kicker |
The great Morten Andersen next next NFL stop is
Canton, Ohio |
Atlanta Falcon Draft Projection:
Baltimore Ravens
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Linebacker |
Adalius Thomas cannot be
replaced, although Spencer has a real chance to develop into something
special. |
| Offensive
line |
Ogden talking retirement.
Not much depth in this group. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Finding a replacement for
11 year veteran Derrick Mason is on the agenda. |
| Running
back |
Veteran (33) Anderson, and
disappointing Musa Smith back up newly acquired McGahee |
Baltimore Raven Draft Projection
Buffalo Bills
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Cornerback |
Small market Bills could
not match the 49ers deal for the inconsistent Clements. |
| Linebacker |
Starters Fletcher &
Spikes were set adrift with no suitable replacement on current roster. |
| Running
Back |
McGahee departure left
Bills bankrupt at this critical offensive position. Anthony Thomas is at best a role player. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Price is no longer a
factor. Rising Star Lee Evans
could use some support. |
Buffalo Bills Draft Projection
Carolina Panthers
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Tight
End |
Gaines is an asset at the
POA, but is not a true vertical threat in the passing game. |
| Quarterback |
Another injury to the
inconsistent Delhomme would be devastating to the Panthers. |
| Safety |
11 year veteran Minter
announced his retirement at the end of the 2007 season. |
| Linebacker |
Oft-injured Morgan can no
longer be counted on over the long haul. |
Carolina Panther Draft Projection:
Chicago Bears
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Linebacker |
Will backer Briggs needs a
reality check. Sam Backer
Hillenmeyer is a smart journeymen player.
Little depth here. |
| Safety |
Free agent addition
Archuletta is a liability in coverage.
Injury to Brown was a
major blow to Bears. |
| Running
Back |
Exit Thomas Jones, enter
ball control, north/south runner Tony Hunt. |
| Quarterback |
Jordan Palmer has really
made strides over the past two seasons. |
| Wide Receiver |
Like Bradley's potential,
but little else behind starters Muhammad and Berrian. |
Chicago Bear Draft Projection:
Cincinnati Bengals
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Linebacker |
Possible career ending
injury to Pollack, Thurman suspension, and Simmons release spells trouble
for Bengals. |
| Offensive
Line |
Future replacement for
veteran Anderson is a must. Little
help in a back up role. |
| Safety |
SS Dexter Jackson is just a
guy at this stage. Back ups
are not going to make people forget Tommy Casanova. |
| Defensive
Tackle |
Little
help behind vets Thornton and Adams. |
Cincinnati Bengal Draft Projection:
Cleveland Browns
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Offensive
Line |
Browns had a difficult time
running the ball and protecting the QB.
Key free agent Bentley injury really set program back. |
| Quarterback |
Fry, Anderson, and
Dorsey??? Help please!!! |
| Running
Back |
Vet Lewis offers stability.
Wright and Harrison bring nothing to the table. |
| Wide Receiver |
Northcutt defection weakens
an already marginal receiving group. |
Cleveland Brown Draft Projection
Dallas Cowboys
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Wide
Receiver |
Both starters are 12 year
veterans. Aside from Clayton, the group is at most marginal. |
| Safety |
If healthy, free agent
addition Hamlin should greatly improve Cowboys at this critical position. |
| Quarterback |
Not 100% sold on Romo.
Brad Johnson is done. Matt
Baker was a marginal college QB. |
| Cornerback |
Back up Aaron Glenn is a 14
year veteran. Back up help is
a must at this critical position. |
Dallas Cowboy Draft Projection:
Denver Broncos
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Defensive
Line |
Need to upgrade this group
significantly. Three former
Browns lead the way here. Enough
said. |
| Cornerback |
Bailey is league's best
corner. Former Rams and Lion
Bly adds veteran support. Thin
beyond starters. |
| Wide Receiver |
Rod Smith will be 37 at the
start of mini camp. Marshall showed some real potential.
Stokley if healthy will lend support. |
| Linebacker |
Wilson appears to be at the
end of the line. Williams is
a rising star; rest of the group is adequate |
Denver Bronco Draft Projection
Detroit Lions
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Offensive
Line |
Foster & Mulitalo
should improve Lions in this area. |
| Quarterback |
Martz is the best in the
game at developing young QB's, Trent
Edwards is right up his ally. |
| Tight End |
Block first TE's Miller and
Pudwell are great fits for Lion's offense |
| Fullback |
A suitable replacement for
long time blocking back Schlesinger must be found. |
Detroit Lion Draft Projection:
Green Bay Packers
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Wide
Receiver |
Ginn would give the Pack a
legit vertical threat. |
| Running Back |
A healthy Ahman Green will
be missed. Booker would give
club a player excellent 3rd down potential. |
| Defensive End |
Abiamiri is a better
athlete, then a football player but should develop. |
| Cornerback |
Can never have enough
players at this critical position. |
Green Bay Packer Draft Projection
Houston Texans
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Offensive
Line |
How many times was David
Carr sacked during his 5 year career? |
| Safety |
Both starters are 8 men in
the box type. Need for a
safety to play in the deep third. |
| Defensive
Tackle |
Travis Johnson and a bunch
of journeymen performers. |
| Running
Back |
A healthy Ahman Green and
surprising Dayne should be able to see you through a season. |
Houston Texan Draft Projection:
Indianapolis Colts
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Offensive
Line |
The name of the game is
protecting Peyton. |
| Safety |
Versatile Gaddis projects
both out on a wing or inside |
| Wide
Receiver |
Critical loss if one of the
starters were to go down with an injury. |
| Linebacker |
Tough whenever one loses an
established starter (Cato June). |
Indianapolis Colt Draft Projection
Jacksonville Jaguars
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Safety |
Darius is nearing the end
or a long outstanding career. |
| Linebacker |
Solid group with little
depth. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Northcutt
gives unit some dimension and versatility. |
| Tight End |
Lewis was a major
disappointment in 06. Veteran
Brady loss could be felt in 07. |
Jacksonville Jaguar Draft Projection:
Kansas City Chiefs
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Guard |
Shields nearing the end.
RG Waters is just a guy. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Vet Kennison in his 12th
season. Little to get excited
about after developing Parker. |
| Defensive
Tackle |
Sims has been a major
disappointment. |
| Cornerback |
Former stars Surtain and
Law are are fast approaching the end of the line. |
Kansas City Chief Draft Projection:
Miami Dolphins
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Cornerback |
Re-tread corners Goodman
and Allen are steady but not shut down performers |
| Offensive
Tackle |
It's time for Carey to step
up. Shelton is not NFL
standard at the L-OT position |
| Linebacker |
12 year vet Thomas has
played a lot of football, but is nearing the end of the line |
| Tight End |
A more complete TE is
essential for newly installed offensive system |
| Wide
Receiver |
Dolphins
are very thin on the outside. |
Miami Dolphin Draft Projection:
Minnesota Vikings
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Quarterback |
Like Jackson's playing
potential, but Childress and Vikings need to show progress in 07. |
| Wide Receiver |
What a difference a year
makes. Solid 05 group went
into tank in 06. |
| Cornerback |
Little depth behind steady
veteran starters. |
| Defensive End |
Third year pro Udeze
was a disappointment in 06. Still believe James could be something special. |
Minnesota Viking Draft Projection:
New England Patriots
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Safety |
Harrison can no longer be
counted upon. Wilson and
Hawkins are converted corners. Pats
will address problem early. |
| Linebacker |
Bruschi and Vrabel have a
combined 23 years of service and have slowed in recent years. |
| Cornerback |
Not critical, but Pats will
look to upgrade position further. |
| Wide Receiver |
Pats
did a great job of addressing this major problem via free agency. |
New England Patriot Draft Projection:
New Orleans Saints
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Linebacker |
An infusion of young
talented players at this critical position is essential. |
| Safety |
Like starters, but there is
little in the way of depth at the position. |
| Tight End |
Saints would like to
develop a home grown player at this position. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Loss of team leader Joe
Horn will be felt. Very
serviceable but unspectacular group of pass catchers. |
New Orleans Saint Draft Projection:
New York Giants
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Running
Back |
Barber's
retirement will be felt both on and off the field. |
| Cornerback |
Giants are both old and
slow at this critical position. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Toomer nearing the end.
Little quality behind the immature Burress |
| Linebacker |
Don't believe free agent
acquisition Mitchell is the answer at Sam. |
New York Giant Draft Projection:
New York Jets
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Running
Back |
Jones should give rookie
surprise Washington needed support. One-back Leonard is a great fit for
Jets type of offense. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Cotchery is more of a 3rd.
Little in the way of back up back up help. |
| Linebacker |
Will backer Barton is a
steady journeymen player. |
| Safety |
Support for steady inside
deep defenders is something to think about. |
New York Jet Draft Projection:
Oakland Raiders
| Top
Needs |
Marino's Take |
| Quarterback |
They flat out don't have
one, which means they could still elevate Russell into the #1 spot. |
| Offensive
Line |
Offensive line was a total
embarrassment in 2006. Plenty
of help is necessary in order to shore up offense. |
| Wide
Receiver |
Calvin Johnson is simply
the best offensive player to come out of college football in 25 years. |