With free agency in full swing a bunch of signings already under the offseason belt it is high time that we here at Touchdown Dance review the shopping lists for each team headed into the draft. We will list each team in their respective divisions and what we feel is their top five needs that should be tended to either through the draft, trade or more free agent signings.

• AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

1. Offensive Tackle- the Bills traded away their best tackle to Philly in 09 and suffered greatly. Then they had a rash of injuries, finally topped off by the unexpected retirement of (RT) Brad Butler who at 26 had larger aspirations. This leaves the Bills so very thin where the game starts and ends in the gladiator like battle between two sets of 11 men.
2. Quarterback- Oh how the fans in Buffalo yearn for the days of Jim Kelly or even Doug Flutie for that matter. Who could blame them when they are trotting out Captain Safety Valve (Trent Edwards) or Ryan Fitzpatrick. The disappointing thing is is that the draft sucks if you need a quarterback right away.
3. Defensive Line- the line is currently constituted with a bunch of older try hard guys who don't exactly fit into the new 3-4 scheme. The Bills need to start in the middle of that line and work their way out.
4. Linebacker- another area where the team is old or just hasn't panned out, much like last year's first round pick Aaron Maybin. He may show better in the 3-4 scheme, but the team could use more heNew lp on the inside for sure.
5. Wide Receiver- They tried TO, Lee Evans has fallen off and slot receiver Josh Reed most likely won't be with the team. Though they don't have the signal caller to get them the ball, the team needs to build some depth.
 

Miami Dolphins

1. Nose Tackle- Jason Ferguson is back, but at 35 he is no longer the answer. In the 3-4 scheme this spot is so very important and must be filled for Bill Parcells vision to come to fruition.
2. Outside Linebacker- Joey Porter is gone and Jason Taylor if back is another older player with little left. This defense thrives on pressure from this position and without that it will be long days for the Dolphins defense next season.
3. Safety- Gibril Wilson was shipped off for poor play, but may have been hindered by playing with two rookie corners. Those corners are now a year older and NFL wiser so it is time to bring some youth and speed to the centerfield spot of this defense.
4. Wide Receiver- Yet to have found that go to guy this team can no longer count on the sporadic play of Tedd Ginn Jr.
5. Inside Linebacker- Channing Crowder is a nice guy to have in the middle, but without a nice option along side of him he ends up doing too much.
 

New England Patriots

1. Defensive End- the youth movement started in the secondary and must continue to the defensive line to match the mammoth and talented Vince Wilfork.
2. Wide Receiver- Randy Moss time is coming to an end in Foxboro and Wes Welker may not come back from knee and shoulder surgery leving the Pats with very little to fall back on.
3. Tight End- Benjamin Watson is gone and like I said in #2 the receiving corps is thinning out by the day. Tom Bundchen still needs some options in the passing game and a nice, shiny, new tight end may be just the trick.
4. Outside Linebacker- Some players are in the doghouse and others are just better than mediocre so the Pats need some talented young backers to attack the opposing quarterbacks.
5. Offensive Line- the Pats took their lumps along the offensive line last season and need that added depth to ensure the safety of Giselle's baby's daddy.
 

• AFC North
 

Baltimore Ravens

1. Cornerback- this position was the reason the Ravens missed the playoffs last year. With a veteran squad everywhere else this team could afford to start some youth in the secondary.
2. Safety- Ed Reed's recent injury history is quite scary for the Ravens defense and for their fans. He seems as if he will hang it up before he gives up him entire self to football.
3. Tight End- Todd Heap is the Ravens "Glassman" and LJ Smith is far from young or an answer at the position.
4. Defensive Line- some added depth to keep a steady pace of gap fillinf all game long.
5. Linebacker- another spot where the Ravens are a little long in the tooth. I mean Ray Lewis can't play forever. Or can he?

Cincinnati Bengals

1. Safety- they have a very nice pair of corners and the defense was much improved last season, but some help in centerfield is a necessity.
2. Tight End- I don't recall Carson Palmer ever having a real nice target to go to over the seams since he came to Cincinnati. It will also helps the receivers as it spreads the field a bit more.
3. Defensive Line- pass rusher or tackles could be used as the team got hit by injuries last year that handicapped their pass rush.
4. Offensive Line- their line played tremdously last season, but it is has a bit more age than people realize.
5. Linebacker- nice starting group, but lacks depth in case of injuries.

Cleveland Browns

1. Quarterback- now that Mike Holgrem has shedded all the dead wirght at the position and brought in his own version of terrible it is time for the Browns to get back to finding their next Bernie Kosar.
2. Offensive Line- Joe Thomas is all world at the left tackle, but it has been a revolving door on the right. Two booends to protect terrible quarterbacks is necessary to get back to .500.
3. Outside Linebacker- the Browns were really bad at rushing the passer and then they traded away probably their best guy doing it in Kamerion Wimbley.
4. Safety- Brodney Pool is gone and he wasn't all that bad, but they only had money for one good player this offseason and that was Josh Cribbs.
5. Defensive Ends- need some depth.

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Cornerback- they were absolutely terrible in coverage last season in part to Troy Polamalu's injury, but the corners weren't very good at football either.
2. Offensive Line- it seems to be an on going theme for the Steelers, but maybe after missing the playoffs last season they'll really will address it.
3. Nose Tackle- Casey Hampton was franchised and still plays at a high level, but a replacement and sub must be found for the future.
4. Linebacker- the team is a bit old here despite the talented names on the roster.
5. Running Back- fast Willie Parker is on his way out and despite the nice play by Rashard Mendenhall a back-up is needed as he is prone to fumbilitis.

• AFC South

Houston Texans

1. Cornerback- the departure of Dunta Robinson leaves a gapping hole on one side of the Texans defense where they already had trouble keeping up with the likes of Wayne, Garcon and Collie.
2. Running Back- the sophomore slump for Steve Slaton was very disappointing and Chris Henry, Arien Foster or Jeremiah Johnson are not the long term answer for this high powered attack.
3. Offensive Line- particularly at guard.
4. Defensive Tackle- this team needs a tackle that at times requires a double team to free up the talented Mr. Williams on the outside.
5. Safety- a weak centerfield means long days for your defense and brings much joys to their opponents.

Indianapolis Colts

1. Defensive Tackle- another area for a perenial NFL powerhouse that never seems to get resolved. Maybe this will finally be the year that the Colts find the answer.
2. Offensive Line- depth, depth, depth is always helpful when protecting the besat player in the NFL.
3. Cornerback- they already lost Marlin Jackson and they were desimated by injuries at this spot last season so building quality depth would be helpful.
4. Linebacker- re-signing Gary Brackett was key, but they could use some help along the strongside.
5. Defensive End- keeping a great tandem like Freeney and Mathis together won't last forever.

Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Cornerback- playing in this division you play some pretty tough talent at the receiver position so you better be able to cover.
2. Safety- really looking for somebody to come up and fill the box.
3. Guard- some more talent and depth would go great with the two bookends they drafted last year.
4. Defensive Tackle- John Henderson is getting older and beyond that is very un-spectacular.
5. Wide Receiver- Mike Sims-Walker was a great find, but he even Batman needed the help of Robin sometimes. The Jags continue their search for their young Ward.

Tennessee Titans

1. Defensive End- they lost the defensive motor in Kyle Vanden Bosch and need to find some way to get some pressure on the quarterback.
2. Cornerback- had a bunch of injuries and problems here last year and some talented youth could really help.
3. Linebacker- Keith Bulluck is gone and it will be hard to watch the Titans without hearing his name, but a youth movement was necessary in Nashville.
4. Offensive Line- particularly for their aging (C) Kevin Mawae who can still play, but may be better suited in working solely on the new CBA.
5. Wide Receiver- why is it some team seem to be searching for a star at the same position every single offseason.

• AFC WEST

Denver

1. Offensive Line- the team is seasrch of a new center as veteran Caey Wiegmann headed back to Kansas City and some depth at the guard spots.
2. Nose Tackle- they did lure Jamal Williams over from the Chargers, but he may have nothing left and it is a very important position in this defense.
3. Linebacker- some depth and another quality inside backer to match with DJ Williams could come in handy.
4. Cornerback- Champ Bailey is still All-World, but he is aging and his opposite side leaked like a sieve late last season.
5. Safety- another area of the team that is very old and doesn't have much NFL life left.

Kansas City

1. Offensive Line- the entire right side is either bad (RT) or left via free agency (RG) so some remodeling must be done.
2. Linebacker- A replacement could be used at every single spot in this starting group.
3. Nose Tackle- these guys are few and far between and the Chiefs have yet to find their answer here.
4. Safety- Mike Brown is smart, but slow and if you have to start John McGraw you know you need help.
5. Wide Receiver- the team still lacks that real speedster to stretch the field.

Oakland Raiders

1. Offensive Line- even if you don't care about your quarterback you still need to offer sometime if you want to win. The Raiders have been patching this unit together for far too long.
2. Linebacker- very little quality talent here, upgrades must be found.
3. Defensive Line- Gerard Warren and Greg Ellis are gone and Richard Seymour is on the downside of a very nice career.
4. Quarterback- they still have a ton of money wrapped up in JoMokess Russell, but a future at the spot sure couldn't hurt.
5. Cornerback- they already have the best cover corner in the league (Nnamdi Asomugha), but depth is needed in any NFL season.

• NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

1. Offensive Line- this group gets by, but upgrasdes must be found for talent and some much needed youth.
2. Safety- Gerald Sensabaugh was a nice pick-up last season, but Ken Hamlin isn't the long term answer at free safety.
3. Nose Tackle- this move would really help the Cowboys as it would allow Jay Ratliff to move back to the outside where he belongs.
4. Linebacker- some youth along the inside is needed as Keith Brooking is like the Cowboys old man river.
5. Wide Receiver- the birth of Miles Austin was amazing for the Cowboys, but it is quite obvious that Roy Williams is not the answer on the other side.

NY Giants

1. Defensive Backs- the signing of Antrel Rolle helps a whole lot, but the Giants still lack depth and possible even quality starters to go along the free agent pick-up.
2. Linebacker- really could use to find a replacement for the departed Antonio Pierce in the middle of that Giants defense.
3. Center- time for some depth and the future.
4. Defensive Tackle- the Giants could really use a fly off the ball tackle and some depth with Fred Robbins leaving for St. Louis.
5. Running Back- Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are a decent pairing, but Jacobs lacks umphh and Bradshaw will age quickly with his running style.

Philadelphia Eagles

1. Defensive End- the Eagles still search for the answer since Reggie White flew the coop and a pass rusher who disrupts without all the blitzing would do this defense some good.
2. Linebacker- this team was completely desimated by injuries at the linebacker positon and the release of Will Witherspoon leaves them even worse for wear.
3. Offensive Line- some added depth is absolutely necessary.
4. Safety- the Sean Jones experiment didn't go so well. They really should have never let Brian Dawkins go.
5. Cornerback- you can never have to man of these guys to fill in and play special teams.

Washington Redskins

1. Offensive Line- this group needs a talent upgrade along with some much needed depth.
2. Linebacker- London Fletcher has had a very nice go of it, but is on the backside of his career and the team needs to look to the future on the inside.
3. Running Back- Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson may get them through this coming season, but I wouldn't count on either after that.
4. Wide Receiver- still searching for the next Art Monk.
5. Quarterback- you can look at this in many different ways. Shannahan will stand pat and turn Campbell into a decent signal caller or he will wait until next season when the draft class will be much better at the spot.

• NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

1. Offensive Line- from the left guard all the way to right tackle a replacement or the future needs to be found.
2. Safety- one of the more important parts of the Tampa 2 defense and the Bears have been playing musical safeties for the past few seasons.
3. Defensive Tackle- depth needed to keep a quality rotation going.
4. Cornerback- Peanut Tillman is a free safety in the future, but for no he is the best they have at corner which is really sad.
5. Wide Receiver- this team still lacks a #1 guy, all they have is a bunch of 3rd and 4th option. A possible #2 at best.

Detroit Lions

1. Offensive Line- protecting the #1 overall pick from last year must be their highest priority.
2. Defensive End- they did upgrade with Kyle Vanden Bosch coming in, but some serious talent must be found to play with him.
3. Cornerback- despite bringing in a Chris Houston via trade this group is still weak.
4. Defensive Tackle- another area of need they helped via trade, but the line must have depth too.
5. Wide Receiver- they brought in Nate Burleson to match with Calvin Johnson, but they still lack good depth at the position.

Green Bay Packers

1. Offensive Line- the Packers found it necessary to bring back both old and bad tackles from last season so I feel they love watching Aaron Rodgers being driven into the ground. Anyways, theis team must improve hear to match the skill and talent of Rodgers who could bring them back to the Super Bowl if protected.
2. Cornerback- both Al Harris and Charles Woodson are coming to an end of two very good NFL careers and if you wait to long to find replacements you usually end up in a whole lot of trouble.
3. Running Back- Ryan Grant is a decent enough player, but a home run hitter neer hurt anyone.
4. Safety- centerfield depth really comes in handy when you have quarterbacks like Favre, Cutler and Stafford in your division.
5. Defensive Line- in the 3-4 scheme you can never have enough quality big men up in front of your linebackers.

Minnesota Vikings

1. Safety- there are too many good quarterbacks in the NFC North to venture onto the field with mediocre centerfielders.
2. Cornerback- Antoine Winfield is tough as nails, but he ahs been in the league for a longtime now and a replacement must be found.
3. Running Back- the Vikings no longer have Chester Taylor to fall back on when Adrian Peterson's fumbilitis rears its ugly head. So a guy who can speel AP would be a very good idea.
4. Quarterback- even if Favre comes back next season, is the (QB) answer really exsist behind him? I think not.
5. Linebacker- more depth for a position that finds itself with a bunch of injuries.

• NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

1. Defensive End- one of the worst pass rushing teams in the league must do a better job in order to stay in more games.
2. Linebacker- getting old and lacks good depth so this spot is a must find for the Falcons.
3. Defensive Tackle- another area that lacks quality and quantity which is a big no-no in the NFL.
4. Tight End- Tony Gonzalez was brillant as always last year, his first with the Falcons. Though he is tremendously fit he does play a position that has a ton of attrition and a steady back-up should be found.
5. Cornerback- the signing of Dunta Robinson sure did help the secondary, but they then traded away Chris Houston. Some depth must be rebuilt.

Carolina Panthers

1. Defensive Tackle- they didn't have their best last year when Ma'ake Kemoeatu went down with a torn ACL and now he left via free agency. What is there needs some improvement and depth.
2. Wide Receiver- Steve Smith is only one man and can't catch every ball so the Panthers must dedicate some time and money to play opposite him.
3. Offensive Line- some depth is needed to cover them in case of injuries much like what didn't happen last season.
4. Quarterback- Jake Delhomme is finally out of the Panther fans hair, but wha is left is Matt Moore. While he didn't fair too bad last season when given the chance, nobody, I mean nobody feels that he is the long term answer.
5. Defensive End- they drafted Everette Brown last season to replace the departed Julius Pepers, but what they don't have is a quality option to go opposite him.

New Orleans Saints

1. Linebacker- the team already lost Scott Fujita to free agency where the team was already short on depth.
2. Nose Tackle- they could really use a plug in the middle of that defense. Teams found nice running lanes late in the year.
3. Defensive End- the release of Chrles Grant was curious, but it all comes down to money. A quality replacement will be needed in order for Will Smith to be as effective as he was last season.
4. Offensive Line- a center of the furture specifically.
5. Running Back- Now that Mike Bell has been shone the door a back-up to Pierre Thomas is needed as he tends to get knicked up a lot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Defensive Line- this line could use a complete make-over from side to side.
2. Wide Receiver- they already lost Antonio Bryant and possibly Michael Clayton so they are left with a huge pile of steaming dung.
3. Cornerback- Ronde Barber may just play forever, but I wouldn't bet on it and Aquib Talib is always in off the field trouble so some answers may be necessary here.
4. Safety- as of right now they have three on the roster and those three just may be the three worst in the league.
5. Offensive Line- the Buccaneers only true team asset, but it must be protected with some added depth.

• NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

1. Offensive Line- the Cards group has taken a hit this offseason. They have brought in some depth, but lack the quality starters to protect partyboy Matt Leinhart.
2. Linebacker- losing Karlos Dansby really, really, really hurts the Cards defense and finding a replacement will be key. They also have age issue along the outside spots with the exception of last year draft pick Cody Brown.
3. Tight End- Kurt Warner didn't use one much, but I have a feeling that Matt Leinhart will need that safety valve and a guy who is more than a blocker would come in handy.
4. Quarterback- does anyone really think "Partyboy" will be the answer in the Valley of the Sun? Most likely not and what they have behind him isn't very promising either.
5. Safety- the loss of Antrel Rolle hurts, but the secondary is still the Cards defense strongest area.

St. Louis Rams

1. Quarterback- Marc Bulger was never even close to Kurt Wrner who the Rams gave up on way too early. Now they have paid ten times over because of that mistake. Unfortunatly for the Rams there is no quarterback worthy the #1 overall pick despite what other experts say.
2. Wide Receiver- one of the worst groups in the league, enough said.
3. Defensive Tackle- every team needs to be srong up the middle and the Rams are far from it.
4. Offensive Line- talent and depth are in desperate need.
5. Defensive End- Chris Long has been OK, but they will lose Leonard Little to free agency and some sacks need to come from somewhere.

San Francisco 49ers

1. Offensive Line- the Niners could use a new starter along the entire line.
2. Cornerback- the Niners suffered against the pass and are aging quickly at the position.
3. Nose Tacke- they franchise tagged Aubreyo Franklin this year and will have to pay big money to keep him beyond that. The team must make the decision to invest or find a younger, cheaper option at the position.
4. Quarterback- We'll see how long Mike Singletary sticks with Alex Smith before turning to new edition David Carr, but neither is the long term solution.
5. Safety- some better quality depth could be used.

Seattle Seahawks

1. Offensive Line- the days of Wlater Jones are over and a major overhaul is needed along the entire line.
2. Quarterback- I' sure Pete Carroll wishes he got this job last year so he could have taken Mark Sanchez before the Jets could grab him. Now he has to hope that Matt Hasselbeck holds up one more year before he has to find the next best thing.
3. Running Back- It must really blow to know that three of the most important position on offense must be tended to.
4. Defensive Line- another area that needs major remodeling.
5. Wide Receiver- getting older and less productive by the day.