2004 NFL Draft - NFC Team Needs

2004 NFL Draft - NFC Team Needs

by Richard Harris

April 12, 2004

Also see AFC Team Needs

Arizona Cardinals
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback	√	Defensive Tackle	√	DE Bert Berry	CB David Barrett
Running Back	√	Defensive End		QB Shaun King	QB Jeff Blake
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√	CB David Macklin
Tight End	√	Middle Linebacker	√
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback	√
Center	√	Safety
Guard	√	Kicker
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter
NOTES: As usual, the Cards could use help at nearly every position, and they will likely take the best player available with their first-round selection (third overall). The team�s most pressing needs are at quarterback, defensive tackle, and cornerback. Many think that new head coach Dennis Green will use the first pick on Pittsburgh wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald because the two men have personal ties. However, it is doubtful that Josh McCown is the long-term answer at quarterback, making Ben Roethlisberger of Miami (Ohio) a more logical choice.

Atlanta Falcons
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback	√	Defensive Tackle		CB Aaron Beasley	CB Juran Bolden
Running Back		Defensive End	√	G Eric Beverly	CB Ray Buchanan
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√	DT Rod Coleman	QB Doug Johnson
Tight End		Middle Linebacker		CB Jason Webster	LB Sam Rogers
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback	√	WR Dez White
Center		Safety	√
Guard	√	Kicker
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter
NOTES: The Falcons finished the 2003 season ranked last in the league in total defense. The additions of DT Rod Coleman and CB Jason Webster in free agency should help, but the club will still be looking to add a few impact defenders in the draft, especially at defensive end. On the other side of the ball, the team desperately needs to obtain a receiver to compliment Peerless Price, and finding a left tackle to replace the aging Bob Whitfield is another top priority.

Carolina Panthers
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback		Defensive Tackle		LB Jessie Armstead	G Kevin Donnalley
Running Back		Defensive End		CB Artrell Hawkins	WR Kevin Dyson
Fullback		Outside Linebacker		OT Adam Meadows	LB Greg Favors
Tight End	√	Middle Linebacker	√	LB Brandon Short	S Deon Grant
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback	√		CB Reggie Howard
Center		Safety	√		G Jeno James
Guard	√	Kicker			OT Todd Steussie
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter			TE Jermaine Wiggins
NOTES: Carolina surprised many by making it to the Super Bowl last season, and when all was said and done, most experts realized that they had vastly underrated the talent on the team. However, the price of success for the Panthers was losing a number of key players this offseason, including three offensive line starters and two starters in the secondary. As a result, guard, cornerback, and safety will be top priorities for the club in the draft. The team would also benefit from adding a pass-catching threat at tight end.

Chicago Bears
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback	√	Defensive Tackle	√	G Ruben Brown	QB Chris Chandler
Running Back		Defensive End	√	FB Bryan Johnson	DE Phillip Daniels
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√	RB Thomas Jones	LB Warrick Holdman
Tight End		Middle Linebacker	√	QB Jonathan Quinn	QB Kordell Stewart
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback	√	OT John Tait	DT Keith Traylor
Center		Safety			G Chris Villarial
Guard		Kicker			WR Dez White
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter
NOTES: The Bears struggled on both sides of the ball in 2003, but they did manage to win four of their last six games and finish the season with a respectable 7-9 record. Rex Grossman taking over at quarterback, combined with the free-agent additions of RB Thomas Jones, OT John Tait and several others, will bolster the offense. As a result, the Bears will likely focus on the defensive side of the ball in the draft. The team ranked last in the league in sacks in 2003, so finding tackles, ends, and outside linebackers that can pressure the quarterback will be a top priority.

Dallas Cowboys
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback		Defensive Tackle	√	QB Drew Henson	CB Mario Edwards
Running Back	√	Defensive End		WR Keyshawn Johnson	DE Ebenezer Ekuban
Fullback		Outside Linebacker		DE Marcellus Wiley	WR Joey Galloway
Tight End		Middle Linebacker			P Toby Gowin
Wide Receiver		Cornerback	√		OT Ryan Young
Center	√	Safety	√
Guard	√	Kicker
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter	√
NOTES: The Cowboys filled two significant voids with the acquisitions of QB Drew Henson and DE Marcellus Wiley, but they still have several major holes to fill. The offense, which averaged just 18.1 points per game last season, needs immediate help at running back, and the guard and tackle positions are concerns as well. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys topped the league in total defense in 2003, but they must find a replacement for Mario Edwards at CB.

Detroit Lions
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback		Defensive Tackle	√	CB Fernando Bryant	G Eric Beverly
Running Back	√	Defensive End	√	S Brock Marion	G Ray Brown
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√	QB Rick Mirer	DT Luther Elliss
Tight End	√	Middle Linebacker	√	WR Tai Streets	S Corey Harris
Wide Receiver		Cornerback		G Damien Woody	LB Barrett Green
Center		Safety			P John Jett
Guard	√	Kicker			WR Bill Schroeder
Offensive Tackle		Punter	√		RB James Stewart
NOTES: The Lions added four quality players in free agency � CB Fernando Bryant, S Brock Marion, WR Tai Streets and C/G Damien Woody, and in the process, they solidified two major weak spots � the secondary and wideout. Despite the additions, the Lions, who have won just eight games over the last two seasons, still have much work to do. Their top priority has to be finding a quality running back to take some pressure off of QB Joey Harrington. The team�s other major concerns reside on the defensive side of the ball, where impact players are needed at tackle, end, and linebacker.

Green Bay Packers
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback	√	Defensive Tackle		S Mark Roman	P Josh Bidwell
Running Back		Defensive End	√		DT Gilbert Brown
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√		S Antuan Edwards
Tight End		Middle Linebacker
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback	√
Center	√	Safety
Guard	√	Kicker
Offensive Tackle		Punter	√
NOTES: Despite nearly missing the playoffs last season, the Packers were arguably one of the top three teams in the NFC and top five teams in the NFL. With that said, and given that Green Bay lost no significant free agents, it should no be surprise that the club has only a few pressing needs. At the top of the list is a defensive end to compliment RE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Aaron Kampman, who is expected to replace oft-injured starter Joe Johnson at left end, is an overachiever who is better suited to be a backup. Other than DE, the team will be looking for depth at a number of positions, including quarterback, as Green Bay braces for the eventual retirement of Brett Favre.

Minnesota Vikings
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback		Defensive Tackle		P Darren Bennett	WR D'Wayne Bates
Running Back		Defensive End	√	S Tyrone Carter	DT Fred Robbins
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√	WR Marcus Robinson	CB Denard Walker
Tight End	√	Middle Linebacker		TE Jermaine Wiggins
Wide Receiver		Cornerback	√	CB Antoine Winfield
Center	√	Safety	√
Guard		Kicker
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter
NOTES: Despite leading the league in total offense, the Vikings failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, and it does not take a genius to figure out that the team needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball. The offseason additions of CB Antoine Winfield and S Tyrone Carter significantly bolstered the Vikings� secondary, but the team still needs to find impact players at end and outside linebacker in order to solidify the defense.

New Orleans Saints
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback		Defensive Tackle		CB Jason Craft	CB Dale Carter
Running Back	√	Defensive End		WR Germane Crowell	C Jerry Fontenot
Fullback	√	Outside Linebacker	√	FB Sam Gash	TE David Sloan
Tight End		Middle Linebacker	√	RB Aaron Stecker	FB Terrelle Smith
Wide Receiver		Cornerback	√	DT Brian Young
Center		Safety	√
Guard	√	Kicker	√
Offensive Tackle		Punter
NOTES: Last season, the Saints ranked 27^th against the run and 28^th against the pass, and as a result, the club will likely focus on the defensive side of the ball during the draft. The team�s top priority has to be finding at least one top-flight cornerback. The club will also be in the market for a run-stuffing middle linebacker. On offense, the team will be looking for a guard. Third-year guard LeCharles Bentley, a Pro Bowl selection last season, is expected to move to center in place of the unsigned veteran Jerry Fontenot.

New York Giants
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback	√	Defensive Tackle		LB Carlos Emmons	LB Michael Barrow
Running Back	√	Defensive End	√	LB Barrett Green	C Chris Bober
Fullback	√	Outside Linebacker		DT Norman Hand	CB Ralph Brown
Tight End		Middle Linebacker	√	C Shaun O'Hara	DT Cornelius Griffin
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback	√	DT Fred Robbins	DT Keith Hamilton
Center	√	Safety	√	OT Barry Stokes	DE Kenny Holmes
Guard	√	Kicker			LB Dhani Jones
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter			LB Brandon Short
NOTES: New York has been one of the league�s busier teams this offseason, but unfortunately for Giants fans, the club appears to have lost more keys players than it gained. While the team could use help at just about every position, its biggest concerns are the offensive line, middle linebacker, and safety. The team owns the fourth overall pick, and Iowa OT Robert Gallery would be a perfect fit. However, there have been discussions with the Chargers, who own the top overall pick. Apparently, the Giants do not intend to re-sign QB Kerry Collins after the 2004 season, and they would like to move up and take Mississippi QB Eli Manning.

Philadelphia Eagles
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback	√	Defensive Tackle		LB Dhani Jones	LB Carlos Emmons
Running Back	√	Defensive End		DE Jevon Kearse	QB A.J. Feeley
Fullback	√	Outside Linebacker		WR Terrell Owens	RB Duce Staley
Tight End		Middle Linebacker	√		CB Bobby Taylor
Wide Receiver		Cornerback	√		WR James Thrash
Center	√	Safety			CB Troy Vincent
Guard	√	Kicker			DE Brandon Whiting
Offensive Tackle		Punter			G Bobbie Williams
NOTES: The Eagles solved a long-standing problem by acquiring Pro Bowl receiver Terrell Owens, finally giving QB Donovan McNabb a legitimate No. 1 receiver to throw to. The signing of Jevon Kearse also solidified the team�s defensive line, allowing the Eagles to focus on other positions in the draft. Because of the defections of former Pro Bowlers Tory Vincent and Bobby Taylor, the Birds� top priority will be cornerback. All of the team�s other starting spots appear to be set, so the rest of the draft will be geared toward adding quality depth.

Seattle Seahawks
Draft Needs				Key Additions	Key Losses
Quarterback		Defensive Tackle	√	CB Bobby Taylor	DT Chad Eaton
Running Back		Defensive End	√	DE Grant Wistrom	LB Randall Godfrey
Fullback		Outside Linebacker	√		DT Norman Hand
Tight End		Middle Linebacker	√		DT John Randle
Wide Receiver	√	Cornerback			CB Shawn Springs
Center	√	Safety	√		S Reggie Tongue
Guard		Kicker
Offensive Tackle	√	Punter		</