2005 NFL Draft - AFC Team Needs

2005 NFL Draft - AFC Team Needs

Updated April 23, 2005

Also see: [AFC Team Picks] [NFC Team Picks] [Mock Draft] [AFC Team Needs] [NFC Team Needs] [Top 165 Prospects] [QBs, RBs, and FBs] [WRs and TEs] [Offensive Linemen] [Defensive Linemen] [Linebackers] [Defensive Backs] [Special Teams]

Baltimore Ravens

KEY GAINS

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘04 Team
Samari Rolle	CB	Released	Titans
Derrick Mason	WR	Released	Titans
Tommy Polley	LB	UFA	Rams
Keydrick Vincent	OG	UFA	Steelers

KEY LOSSES

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘05 Team
Edgerton Hartwell	LB	UFA	Falcons
Gary Baxter	CB	UFA	Browns
Casey Rabach	OG	UFA	Redskins
Marques Douglas	DE	UFA	49ers
Kevin Johnson	WR	Released	Lions
Travis Taylor	WR	UFA	Vikings
Jamel White	RB	UFA	Lions
Kordell Stewart	QB	UFA

DRAFT NEEDS

Offensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Defensive End
Defensive Back
Center/Guard
Quarterback
Defensive Tackle

NOTES: The Ravens biggest need is at right tackle, though they will likely have to move up from the 22^nd pick in order to get the player that they covet, Oklahoma offensive tackle Jammal Brown. Despite the addition of WR Derrick Mason, the team could still use help at wideout, and QB Kyle Boller makes a lot of people nervous in Baltimore, so a quarterback is not out of the question at some point. On defense, the Ravens mostly need depth, but finding a replacement for starting DE Marques Douglas is a priority.

Buffalo Bills

KEY GAINS

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘04 Team
Kelly Holcomb	QB	UFA	Browns
Mike Gandy	OG	UFA	Bears

KEY LOSSES

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘05 Team
Pat Williams	DT	UFA	Vikings
Jonas Jennings	OT	UFA	49ers
Drew Bledsoe	QB	Released	Cowboys
Pierson Prioleau	S	Released	Redskins

DRAFT NEEDS

Offensive Tackle
Defensive Tackle
Center
Tight End
Cornerback
Defensive End
Linebacker
Wide Receiver

NOTES: The Buffalo Bills are expected to look for the best big man available when they get around to making their first choice (No. 55 overall in the second round) in the draft. Of course, that presumes that they stay at No. 55. Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe has made a draft-day trade each of the past four years. It’s highly unlikely he will move into the first round this year, but the Bills will deal running back Travis Henry if they can get good value in return. Arizona, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, three teams interested in Henry, each have two third-round picks. Philly also has two seconds and three fifth-rounders. Tampa also has three fifths. The offensive line is the Bills’ biggest area of need, followed by defensive line. At No. 55, the Bills might have the chance to pick one of the top two centers, Mississippi’s Chris Spencer and Michigan’s David Baas, but it’s not a lock either will be available. If one of the better defensive tackles falls to 55, such as Southern Cal’s Mike Patterson, the Bills will have to give them strong consideration.

Cincinnati Bengals

KEY GAINS

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘04 Team
Bryan Robinson	DE	UFA	Dolphins

KEY LOSSES

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘05 Team
Tony Williams	DT	UFA	Jaguars
Rich Braham	C	UFA
Jerry Fontenot	C	UFA
Rogers Beckett	S	Released
Kyle Richardson	P	UFA	Browns

DRAFT NEEDS

Defensive End
Inside Linebacker
Center
Defensive Tackle
Safety
Outside Linebacker
Kick Returner
Tight End

NOTES: Most of the Bengals’ needs are on the defensive side of the ball. They own the No. 17 overall pick. The Bengals are believed to have their sights on at least three defensive linemen (Marcus Spears of LSU, Erasmus James of Wisconsin and David Pollack of Georgia), a linebacker (Demarcus Ware of Troy), a cornerback (Adam Jones of West Virginia) and a strong safety (Thomas Davis of Georgia). There is a good chance that at least two of those players will be available when it is their turn in the first round.

Cleveland Browns

KEY GAINS

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘04 Team
Gary Baxter	CB	UFA	Ravens
Cosey Coleman	OG	UFA	Buccaneers
Brian Russell	S	RFA	Vikings
Rueben Droughns	RB	Trade	Broncos
Joe Andruzzi	OG	UFA	Patriots
Matt Stewart	LB	UFA	Falcons
Trent Dilfer	QB	Trade	Seahawks
Jason Fisk	DT	UFA	Chargers
Kyle Richardson	P	UFA	Bengals

KEY LOSSES

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘05 Team
Gerard Warren	DT	Trade	Broncos
Anthony Henry	CB	UFA	Cowboys
Jeff Garcia	QB	Released	Lions
Ebenezer Ekuban	DE	Trade	Broncos
Warrick Holdman	LB	UFA
Courtney Brown	DE	Released	Broncos
Kelly Holcomb	QB	UFA	Bills
Robert Griffith	S	Released	Cardinals
Earl Little	S	Released	Packers
Michael Myers	DT	Trade	Broncos
Lewis Sanders	CB	UFA	Texans
Barry Gardner	LB	UFA	Jets

DRAFT NEEDS

Offensive Tackle
Defensive Tackle
Safety
Wide Receiver
Defensive End
Outside Linebacker
Cornerback
Quarterback

NOTES: The Browns spent the offseason doing a major house cleaning, including sending four defensive linemen to Denver. Trent Dilfer was signed to replace departed quarterbacks Jeff Garcia and Kelly Holcomb, and the club significantly upgraded the offensive line by signing guards Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman. The team still has big holes to fill at offensive tackle, defensive tackle and safety, but it is unlikely those positions will be addressed with the third overall pick. It’s obvious a trade for multiple picks would be best; this team has more needs than one high-priced pick can fill. However, if the team keeps the No. 3 pick, wide receiver Braylon Edwards would be a good selection. The contracts of both starting wideouts, Antonio Bryant and Andre Davis, expire this year, and Dennis Northcutt is most effective out of the slot.

Denver Broncos

KEY GAINS

Player	Pos	FA Type	‘04 Team
Ian Gold	LB	Released	Buccaneers
Gerard Warren	DT	Trade	Browns
Ebenezer Ekuban	DE	Trade	Browns
Courtney Brown	DE	Released	Browns
Stephen Alexander	TE	UFA	Lions