2012 San Diego Chargers Offseason Needs

After dominating the AFC West in recent years, it seems as though the San Diego Chargers are finally ready to bow down in favor of the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. The Chargers won four straight division titles from 2006-2009, but they were never able to capitalize on their success with a Super Bowl appearance. While they may no longer be the front-runners in the West, they still have enough weapons on both sides of the ball to make the playoffs. Here are some of the Chargers' big additions and subtractions sofar in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Super Bowl 2012

WR Robert Meachem

FB Le'Ron McClain

SS Atari Bigby

DE/OLB Jarret Johnson

WR/KR Eddie Royal

WR/KR Roscoe Parrish

WR/KR Micheal Spurlock

Subtractions:

WR Vincent Jackson

G Kris Dielman

RB Mike Tolbert

OT Marcus McNeill

SS Steve Gregory

Top 5 Needs:

1. Outside Linebacker

Although the Chargers were able to sign Jarret Johnson away from the Baltimore Ravens, the team still needs to look for another pass rush specialist. Although Johnson will definitely help the defense, he had just 20 sacks in 143 games with Baltimore. Antwan Barnes emerged as the Chargers' best sack artist, going for 11 sacks in 2011. Shaun Phillips, however, was a huge disappointment. Phillips had just 3.5 sacks last year, after racking up 11 the year before. San Diego desperately needs someone who can team up with Barnes to form a great duo against the quarterback on passing situations.

2. Offensive Tackle

Starting left tackle Marcus McNeill was curiously cut by the Chargers, but they were able to re-sign Jared Gaither. However, Gaither missed all of 2010 and was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs in the middle of the season. San Diego definitely needs to add a security option for Gaither. Aside from that, the team also needs an upgrade over right tackle Jeromey Clary. The best thing that could happen for the Chargers is for Gaither to return to form and start at left tackle while they bring in someone who can challenge Clary for the starting spot.

3. Cornerback

While Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason form a serviceable duo at corner, Jammer turns 33 in June and there are some talks about moving him to safety. The Chargers added free agent Atari Bigby to team up with Eric Weddle at safety last year, but there is no doubt that the team needs to find a suitable replacement for Jammer.

4. Guard

When Kris Dielman announced his retirement, the Chargers' offensive line suffered a major blow. Now that he is gone, they must figure out a way to fill his spot. Besides possibly shuffling current players around, the team needs to add some more depth to this position. Although Tyronne Green and Stephen Schilling are capable players able to come in and get the job done, some new blood will certainly help lend some fire to this downtrodden team.

5. Running Back

Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert might have formed a pretty good 1-2 punch in the running game last year, but there is no doubt that the loss of Darren Sproles' big-play ability out of the backfield really hurt the Chargers' offense. Now that Tolbert has signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason, this has become an even bigger need for the Chargers. This need should be addressed at the upcoming draft and I wouldn't be surprised if the team chooses Oregon's LaMichael James when it picks in the third round.

2012 San Diego Chargers Offseason Needs

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2012 Dallas Cowboys Offseason Needs

The Dallas Cowboys always seem to have a way of ruining their season. In 2011, the Cowboys started out the year primed to win the NFC East with a 7-4 record, but they ended their year just 1-4 over the final five games to finish with a disappointing 8-8 record. The poor finish was even more disconcerting for the Cowboys since the rival New York Giants won the division with a mediocre 9-7 record and went on to win the Super Bowl. Dallas has the weapons on the offensive side of the ball, but it needs to address some of its needs on the defensive side. The Cowboys took a big step forward thanks to the addition of free agent cornerback Brandon Carr, but more work needs to be done. Here are some of the Cowboys' big additions and subtractions so far in the young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Super Bowl 2012

CB Brandon Carr

QB Kyle Orton

ILB Dan Connor

FB Lawrence Vickers

S Brodney Pool

G Nate Livings

G Mackenzy Bernadeau

Subtractions:

WR Laurent Robinson

CB Terence Newman

ILB Bradie James

TE Martellus Bennett

FB Tony Fiammetta

G Kyle Kosier

Top 5 Needs:

1. Center/Guard
Dallas had huge problems just getting the snap to the quarterback last year. Some of the Cowboys' problems stemmed from the insane number of bad snaps their starting center, Phil Costa, had last year. If he remains the starter in 2012, then the Cowboys may have more of the same problems. They also need help at the guard spot. While there aren't any centers worth taking in the first round, the addition of Stanford's David DeCastro or Georgia's Cordy Glenn could greatly improve their offensive line.

2. Defensive Line
Despite being undersized, Jay Ratliff has shown tremendous awareness and ability at nose tackle. If the Cowboys had their way, they would move Ratliff to one of the two defensive end spots and find a new starting nose tackle. However, if that doesn't happen, look for the Cowboys to get an upgrade over Kenyon Coleman and Marcus Spears on the outside.

3. Outside Linebacker
The Cowboys re-signed outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, but I think they need to look for another player who can get to the quarterback. Spencer had just 6 sacks last season, while fellow outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware had a whopping 19.5. Someone line Alabama's Courtney Upshaw would do wonders for the Cowboys defense. While there may be bigger holes in the secondary, an improved pass rush can generally improve the play of your defensive backs.

4. Safety
Last year, the Cowboys brought in Abram Elam from the Cleveland Browns along with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. While Ryan's defense showed some promise last year, Elam was such a huge disappointment that the Cowboys seem uninterested in retaining the free agent. They added Brodney Pool from the New York Jets, but he's not that much of an improvement over Elam. If the Cowboys feel that they need to address this need through the draft, then they might go after Alabama safety Mark Barron, who is by far the best safety prospect in the draft.

5. Cornerback
Now that they have added Carr to the defensive unit and let go of Terrence Newman, the Cowboys have a vastly improved secondary. Carr was the Kansas City Chiefs' No. 2 corner behind Brandon Flowers, but he is more than capable of being the top guy. The Cowboys might be more compelled to add additional help at this position, unless Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick show marked improvements.

2012 Dallas Cowboys Offseason Needs

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2012 St Louis Rams Offseason Needs

People were expecting too much from the St. Louis Rams after they just missed out on a division title in 2010, but to say that they disappointed last year was an understatement. They finished the year with an abysmal 2-14 record, which tied the Colts for worst in the NFL. There is some reason for optimism, however, as they have signed former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher after letting go of Steve Spagnuolo. Fisher's schemes will likely take some time before the players can buy in, but you better believe that they will be more competitive than they were a season ago. The Rams traded away their No. 2 pick to Washington for the No. 6 pick, Washington's first-round pick in both 2013 and 2014 and a second-round pick this year. Here are some of the Rams' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

CB Cortland Finnegan

DT Kendall Langford

WR Steve Smith

G Quinn Ojinnaka

DE William Hayes

C Scott Wells

OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar

DT Trevor Laws

Subtractions:

WR Brandon Lloyd

DT Justin Bannan

C Jason Brown

DT Fred Robbins

CB Ronald Bartell

OLB Chris Chamberlain

G Jacob Bell

Top 5 Needs:

1. Left Tackle

The Rams' top priority this offseason is to address their problems on the offensive line. Starting left tackle Rodger Saffold is better suited at left guard or right tackle, which makes them thin at left tackle if they move him. If Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon doesn't fall to the sixth pick, I think the Rams have to draft Iowa tackle Riley Reiff. If they do decide to go to a different direction, I believe they will no longer find a legitimate upgrade later in the draft or free agency.

2. Left Guard/Right Tackle

If St. Louis is able to upgrade at left tackle, then this need will be far less pressing. Either way, both these positions need to be addressed. Jason Smith has been a monumental disappointment at right tackle, and if they can move Saffold back to his guard spot, then things will be better for the Rams offensively.

3. Wide Receiver

While the Rams need to add some weapons at receiver, that needs to come after they address the offensive line. Once again, if Blackmon is available at the 6th pick, then he is the one player the Rams should pick. If he is not available, however, the Rams have two second-round picks where they can address this need. Wide receiver is one of the rare positions where great players can be had late in the draft.

4. Outside Linebacker

Starting weakside linebacker Chris Chamberlain has moved on and signed with the New Orleans Saints, and the Rams could use an upgrade at the starting strongside linebacker over Brady Poppinga. Jo-Lonn Dunbar was signed in the offseason, but the Rams need to keep looking for help at this spot.

5. Free Safety

The Rams have a number of additional needs, but I believe their next most pressing need is at free safety. Darian Stewart is simply not the answer, as he was dreadful as the starter for the Rams last year. There isn't really any one talent from the draft that could be a difference maker, which will likely force them to bring in a veteran free agent. Either way, the Rams need to make it a priority to find a suitable replacement, because clearly Stewart cannot be the starter.

2012 St Louis Rams Offseason Needs

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2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Needs

After a breakout season in 2010, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to duplicate their success last year. Instead, they had a major collapse and finished last in the NFC South with a putrid 4-12 record. There are definitely some holes the team needs to address, but despite that, I believe the team is more than capable of bouncing back to have a winning record in 2012. One position where they won't have a problem is at wide receiver, as they went out and signed Vincent Jackson from San Diego. Here are some of the Buccaneers' big additions and subtractions so far in the young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

WR Vincent Jackson

G Carl Nicks

CB Eric Wright

DT Amobi Okoye

QB Dan Orlovsky

Subtractions:

DT Albert Haynesworth

QB Josh Johnson

WR/KR Micheal Spurlock

S Tanard Jackson

RB Kregg Lumpkin

DE Tim Crowder

Top 5 Needs:

1. Cornerback

In a tough division dominated by the likes of quarterbacks Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, the Buccaneers' top priority this offseason should be adding a top-flight corner prospect. Tampa was able to re-sign Ronde Barber and add Eric Wright in free agency, but the team has very little depth after those two, since Aquib Talib was sent to prison. Barber continues to play at a high level despite his age, but for how long? LSU's Morris Claiborne could be available with the fourth pick, and if he is available then the Buccaneers should jump on the opportunity to draft him. The team, however, seems more enamored of Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

2. Linebacker

This unit really underwhelmed last season. Rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster either needs to show considerable improvement moving forward or they need to move him to the outside. Strongside linebacker Quincy Black isn't really much of an option for the Buccaneers, and they have yet to re-sign Geno Hayes. Tampa really needs to seriously consider using either their second or third pick, if not both, to fill this need.

3. Right Tackle

Starting right tackle Jeremy Trueblood was a monumental disappointment in his time with the team and the Buccaneers are better off finding someone else to replace him.

4. Running Back

LaGarrette Blount is such a tremendous athlete that it can get so disappointing when he still doesn't know how to pass protect. The guy could be one of the top running backs in the NFL, but as of right now, he is a huge liability in passing situations. He is still quite young, though, and a lot of young backs struggle early on in their career, so I'm looking forward to an eventual turn around for the young talent. The Bucs did lose Kregg Lumpkin in free agency, so I have them addressing this need through free agency.

5. Free Safety

Tampa Bay decided to cut starting free safety Tanard Jackson, and will need to find a replacement. This draft class is extremely thin at safety, so I look for the Bucs to address this need via free agency.

2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Needs

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2012 Denver Broncos Offseason Needs

The Denver Broncos had a poor start last season, opening 1-4. That had people writing them off and thinking they would have another poor finish in the AFC West. But after quarterback Kyle Orton was replaced in the starting lineup by fan favorite Tim Tebow, the Broncos made one of the most entertaining runs in NFL history. Tebow would lead the Broncos to the AFC West title and a first-round playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver would bow down to the New England Patriots in the second round, in what ended up being Tebow's last start as a member of the Broncos. Denver was able to get future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning in the offseason, which led to Tebow being traded to the New York Jets. With Manning under center, the Broncos believe that they are primed to make another Super Bowl run. Here are some of the Broncos' big additions and subtractions so far in the young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

QB Peyton Manning

CB Tracy Porter

TE Jacob Tamme

TE Joel Dreessen

WR Andre Caldwell

Subtractions:

QB Tim Tebow

WR/KR Eddie Royal

DT Brodrick Bunkley

DE Derrick Harvey

CB Jonathan Wilhite

TE Daniel Fells

Top 5 Needs:

1. Defensive Tackle

The loss of Brodrick Bunkley really hurt the Broncos, as they now have a glaring hole at defensive tackle. Pass rushers Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil are excellent, but the Broncos need to have somebody who will be able to stop the run on first and second down for the two to be successful. If the Broncos decide to address this need in the first round, they may look into drafting Penn State's Devon Still, but that might be a risk they are unwilling to take. Denver might use its 25th pick in the first round on a different position, filling this need via free agency or later on in the draft.

2. Linebacker

Middle linebacker Joe Mays clearly has no business being in the field as much as the Broncos are playing him, because he is a huge liability, and outside linebacker D.J. Williams will likely miss the first six games of the season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. The team needs to add some help at both spots, whether it is through free agency or the draft.

3. Running Back

Last year, the team led the NFL with 164.5 yards/game on the ground. But with the addition of Manning and the loss of Tebow, the Broncos might not rely on the run as much as they did. It wouldn't hurt to look for an upgrade at running back, however, as Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno are no longer very reliable options moving forward.

4. Cornerback

Before they pried Tracy Porter away from the New Orleans Saints, the Broncos had this position as their biggest need. Porter will take over for Andre Goodman opposite Champ Bailey, but there isn't a whole lot of talent behind these two. And, at the age of 34, Bailey is no longer the same dominant player he once was. Denver could still use its first-round pick on one of the top corners left on the board, if the Broncos are unable to fill one of their primary needs with the pick.

5. Offensive Line

Left guard and center are certainly two positions at which the Broncos could use an upgrade. Starting right tackle Orlando Franklin could take over for Zane Beadles at guard, but for that to happen, the team will need to find a replacement for Franklin at tackle. Center J.D. Walton looked completely lost most weeks, and the team is already losing its patience waiting for him to figure it out. They need to strongly consider finding a replacement for Walton, or else we might see Manning chew out Walton a lot in 2012.

2012 Denver Broncos Offseason Needs

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2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs

The Colts must really be lucky to win the No.1 pick in the draft twice when a generational talent was available for them. Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback in NFL history, was forced to miss the entire season last year. Because of this, the team wound up with a pathetic 2-14 record and was unable to get a win until Week 15. The team's bad record led it to the No. 1 pick, however, and the opportunity to choose a quarterback that would be its franchise player for the next decade. Of course, the Colts had to make a decision on the future of Peyton Manning with the franchise, and now that he has signed on with the Denver Broncos, the team is set on picking Andrew Luck come draft time. Here are the Colts' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their top five needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

OT Winston Justice

DE/DT Cory Redding

SS Tom Zbikowski

C Samson Satele

QB Drew Stanton

NT Brandon McKinney

Subtractions:

QB Peyton Manning

WR Pierre Garcon

TE Dallas Clark

RB Joseph Addai

C Jeff Saturday

CB Jacob Lacey

C/G Mike Pollak

TE Jacob Tamme

ILB Gary Brackett

OLB Philip Wheeler

S Melvin Bullitt

QB Dan Orlovsky

WR Anthony Gonzalez

G Ryan Diem

Top 5 Needs:

1. Quarterback

Now that Peyton Manning is no longer with the team, it is quite obvious that the Colts need to replace him this offseason. Some might feel that Robert Griffin III is worthy of the top pick, but there is just no way that the Colts pass up on the opportunity to draft the top-rated college quarterback in the last 25 years. Andrew Luck is as close as you can get to the real deal, but it also wouldn't hurt to add another backup. Dan Orlovsky proved his worth but he, too, moved on and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drew Stanton was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, but it seems as though he is not the answer as the No. 2 quarterback in Indianapolis.

2. Offensive Guard

The Colts have found themselves suddenly without their two starting guards from last season. Mike Pollak decided to sign elsewhere and Ryan Diem retired. Indianapolis was able to trade for offensive tackle Winston Justice, which allows them to move Ben Ijalana into one of the vacated spots. But it would really help matters if the Colts were able to re-sign Jamey Richard. Until that happens, though, this remains one of the team's biggest priorities in the draft.

3. Corner

The Colts featured one of the worst secondaries in all of football last season, and this remains their biggest need on the defensive side of the ball. Now that Jacob Lacey has moved on and signed with the Detroit Lions, the Colts are stuck with Chris Rucker, Kevin Thomas and Brandon King as their top three corners heading into 2012. But that simply is not enough. They need to add at least two players capable of challenging for a starting spot, whether it is through the draft or via free agency.

4. Tight End

Indianapolis cut Dallas Clark and saw Jacob Tamme follow Manning to Denver. The Colts could still go back and re-sign Clark to a new deal, but as of now that seems to be a stretch. The Colts must find someone whom Luck can rely on across the middle of the field, especially in red zone situations. The team's clear priority is to draft a tight end after drafting Andrew Luck with its first pick. Coby Fleener, Luck's teammate at Stanford, could be available for them with the first pick in the second round.

5. Wide Receiver

Right after Manning left for the Broncos, it seemed as though Reggie Wayne would follow him as well. But he decided to come back to Indianapolis and try to help this team get back on track. Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, though, thought otherwise, as they left the team in search of greener pastures. Indianapolis now needs to bring in some new weapons for Luck coming into the 2012 season.

2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs

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2012 San Francisco 49ers Offseason Needs

Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers went as far as the NFC Championship game. An injury to return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. prevented them from reaching the Super Bowl, as his replacement suffered a costly fumble in the game. But this team has already proven its worth and will be a force for years to come. The 49ers boast a defense that is top notch and with the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs to an already improving offense, there is no doubt in my mind that this team is going places sooner rather than later. Here are some of the 49ers' biggest additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Super Bowl 2012

WR Randy Moss

WR Mario Manningham

RB Brandon Jacobs

QB Josh Johnson

CB Perrish Cox

Subtractions:

G/OT Adam Snyder

S Madieu Williams

S Reggie Smith

CB Shawntae Spencer

ILB Blake Costanzo

WR Josh Morgan

Top 5 Needs:

1. Right Tackle

Taken with the 11th pick in 2011 NFL Draft, Anthony Davis was supposed to be the answer at right tackle, but he has been a huge disappointment for the 49ers. San Francisco may still give Davis another chance to grow as a player, but I think the team should start thinking about a backup plan.

2. Right Guard

Starting right guard Adam Snyder moved on and signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but he needed to be replaced anyway. The 49ers could use their first-round pick on a right tackle, which would allow Davis to shift to guard, where it seems he will be more comfortable moving forward.

3. Wide Receiver/Tight End

The additions of Moss and Manningham are clearly difference-makers for an already pretty solid offense, but I think that more weapons on the offensive side of the ball are still needed for this team to really take off offensively. At this point in his career, Moss could be fools' gold because no one knows what to expect from him. The 49ers have one of the best tight ends in the league in Vernon Davis, but with the addition of Stanford's Coby Fleener (if he is available at their pick) they would really be tough to beat on both sides of the field. More and more teams are looking at the success of the New England Patriots and copying the two-TE sets, and if they are able to get Fleener, then teams would really have a tough time matching up with those two.

4. Nose Tackle

This isn't really a huge need, as they have returning nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga on the team, but they should really think about getting a reliable backup who would fit the size of a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle. All the team should really think about is adding someone who can serve as insurance should Sopoaga go down.

5. Defensive End

Another area that could use some added depth is at defensive end. Justin Smith and Ray McDonald are two quality starters that the team depends on night in and night out. But if one of them goes down with an injury, then the 49ers would be in trouble. The team can definitely find a veteran defensive end if it needs to and can't find a suitable backup in the draft.

2012 San Francisco 49ers Offseason Needs

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2012 New Orleans Saints Offseason Needs

The New Orleans Saints finished the 2011 regular season with an impressive 13-3 record, but they were unable to carry that momentum to a Super Bowl appearance as they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the second round on a last-second touchdown. Now, though, it seems that failing to get back to the Super Bowl is the least of their worries as the Saints seem to be mired in a controversy centered around a defensive bounty program. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season as a result, and several defensive players are still waiting to hear their fate. While the defense figures to struggle in 2012, it's common knowledge that the Saints feature one of the top offenses in the NFL. This year, the Saints will struggle to find improvements through the draft, as they do not have a first-round draft pick. Here are some of the Saints' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

ILB Curtis Lofton

ILB David Hawthorne

DT Brodrick Bunkley

G Ben Grubbs

Subtractions:

WR Robert Meachem

G Carl Nicks

CB Tracy Porter

CB Leigh Torrence

OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar

Top 5 Needs:

1. Defensive End

The Saints really had a hard time trying to put pressure on the quarterback last year. As a team, they only had 33 sacks last year. Steve Spagnuolo, the new defensive coordinator, will feature a defense that is centered on getting to the quarterback. In order to do that, Spagnuolo says the team needs to have a surplus of athletic defensive ends. The Saints will have a hard time getting an elite prospect, though, as they won't be picking until late in the third round.

2. Defensive Tackle

Spagnuolo also states that you need to be deep at the defensive tackle spot to really make a difference defensively. His goal with the Saints is to install a defense similar to his days with the New York Giants. New Orleans went out and pried Brodrick Bunkley away from the Denver Broncos to help at defensive tackle. Bunkley is a solid addition, but his forte is stopping the run. The team needs to acquire a defensive tackle who can get pressure up in the middle.

3. Cornerback

The Denver Broncos were able to pry Tracy Porter away from the Saints in the offseason. While the Saints still have corners Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson to fall back on, they need to look for some added depth. Second-year corner Johnny Patrick should get more burn this year, but there isn't much else on the depth chart.

4. Linebacker

The Saints will more than likely be without the services of Pro Bowl linebacker Jonathan Vilma for most, if not all, of the 2012 season due to a suspension. The Saints already needed an upgrade at both outside spots, and with the loss of Vilma, this was supposed to be the team's biggest need heading into the offseason. But the team has done an excellent job bringing in players who are really ready to make an impact. Cutris Lofton was signed to replace Vilma and David Hathorne and Chris Chamberlain will probably man the outside. The Saints could definitely use some added depth, but right now, linebacker is no longer a huge priority.

5. Wide Receiver

The Saints avoided a huge loss when they re-signed star wideout Marques Colston, but lost Robert Meachem in the process. The Saints can stand to use their draft picks on other needs, but they should be able to land someone in free agency.

2012 New Orleans Saints Offseason Needs

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2012 Miami Dolphins Offseason Needs

After starting out the year a pathetic 0-7, the Miami Dolphins managed to gain a small moral victory by finishing the season with a 6-10 record. The strong finish to the season, however, was just a smoke screen. Head coach Tony Sparano was fired and replaced by Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. The Dolphins don't figure to be going anywhere until owner Stephen Ross put together a team that can contend for a division title and not worry so much about the entertainment aspect of the NFL. Right now, very few players around the league want to play for the Dolphins, and that includes the players under contract. The lack of interest among top free agents puts even more pressure on Miami to draft well this April. Here are some of the Dolphins' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

SS Tyrell Johnson

QB David Garrard

CB Richard Marshall

DE/OLB Jamaal Westerman

Subtractions:

QB Chad Henne

CB Will Allen

WR Brandon Marshall

DT Kendall Langford

SS Yeremiah Bell

Top 5 Needs:

1. Quarterback

After losing out on the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, Miami was unable to lure in free agent Matt Flynn from Green Bay, and saw Tim Tebow get traded to the Jets instead. Miami fans have long been clamoring for a franchise quarterback. David Garrard was added to compete with Matt Moore, but these players are clearly not what the fans want. Miami might just use its first-round pick to draft Ryan Tannehill, but if it decides differently, it could opt for Brandon Weeden in the second round.

2. Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall was traded away for two third-round picks, and the receiving corps now features Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. Neither Hartline nor Bess is suited to be a No. 1 receiver, and it will only get harder for them, since opposing teams don't have to load up their coverage to contain Marshall. The Dolphins' quarterback play won't get any better soon if they are unable to add some playmakers on the outside.

3. Right Tackle

Starting right tackle Marc Colombo needs to be replaced, or at the very least the team needs to add some depth to an already very thin offensive line. He played atrociously last year, but because of its lack of depth, the team was forced to play him the entire season. If Miami doesn't add a free agent or use one of its picks to prevent Colombo starting in 2012, then it would be blatantly obvious that they are not winning games. The fans are already getting deeply frustrated with the team's lack of success, and if it is unable to bring forth the best team possible, then we might see more fans lose interest in a team that is already becoming quite unpopular.

4. Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

If the Dolphins are unable to come to terms with Cameron Wake, then this will become an even bigger need. If the team has doubts at all about a deal getting worked out, then it should address this need more than once in the draft. Even if the Dolphins are able to sign Wake by the start of the season, it still needs to find another player who is capable of taking down the quarterback. Wake needs some help this year, as the lack of another pass rusher allowed opposing defenses to shift all their attention to him. Should Miami pass on Tannehill, look for it to lock up the best defensive end/outside linebacker available.

5. Safety

While adding another safety isn't a glaring need, adding another player at this position would certainly be an improvement. The Dolphins were able to pry Tyrell Johnson away from Minnesota and they have a few players more than capable of turning their careers around. The Dolphins could decide to go after another free agent if they feel that Johnson and Chris Clemons are better off in a reserve role.

2012 Miami Dolphins Offseason Needs

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2012 Detroit Lions Offseason Needs

The Detroit Lions finally put an end to their playoff drought with an impressive 10-6 run last year. However, they were completely outclassed by the New Orleans Saints in the opening round of the playoffs. New Orleans routed the Lions, 45-28. The Lions are hoping that they can capitalize on their regular season success last year and truly build something special moving forward. What the Lions need to do is focus on winning the NFC North and get home field in the playoffs. Here are the Lions' big additions and subtractions, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

CB Jacob Lacey

DE Everette Brown

Subtractions:

CB Eric Wright

OLB Bobby Carpenter

Top 5 Needs:

1. Cornerback

Starting corner Eric Wright decided to move on and sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason, but his presence won't be missed as he played poorly for the Lions last year. Detroit was able to sign free agent Jacob Lacey, but he really isn't a huge upgrade over Wright. The Lions need to use their first-round draft pick on a player for the secondary, whether it is at corner or safety. The Lions could go after South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore if he falls to them in the first round, or they could gamble on Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama.

2. Strong Safety

In the 2010 NFL draft, Amari Spievey was drafted in the third round with the intention of starting him at strong safety. However, he has been a huge bust, playing horribly in his first two seasons with the Lions. What the Lions want to happen is for Mark Barron to fall to them at No. 23, which could allow them to move Spievey to his more natural position of corner. The safety class is extremely thin this year, so the only option the team has at safety is to draft Barron.

3. Center

The Lions need to finally get rid of center Dominic Raiola, as he is already getting up there in age, and he wasn't any good to begin with.

4. Running Back

The Lions have two solid backs in Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith; however, both have struggled with injuries for quite some time now. Best's best bet on the field is as a specialist who can catch passes out of the backfield. If the Lions are able to add more depth at this position, then they can build an even-stronger offense from an already-dangerous one.

5. Offensive Tackle

If it weren't for the re-signing of Jeff Backus, this would be the Lions' top priority. As it is, the team now has more glaring holes to fill, and this is no longer an immediate need. Backus does turn 35 in September, so if he suffers a serious injury, then this team is screwed. If the Lions want to continue to move closer to a Super Bowl, then they must continue to add players who can protect their starting quarterback, the fragile Matthew Stafford.

2012 Detroit Lions Offseason Needs

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2012 Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Needs

The Philadelphia Eagles made a huge splash when they added some big-time names to the roster last season, which in turn led new backup quarterback Vince Young to label the Eagles as the "Dream Team." Despite the lofty expectations that came with their intimidating name, the team quickly descended from its high perch and delivered a hugely disappointing 2011 campaign. The Eagles weren't even able to make the playoffs, ending up with a record of just 8-8. The team did show signs of life late in the year, and it wouldn't surprise me if they had a major rebound season in 2012. In order to do so, they need to continue to address some of the big holes they overlooked last year. Here are some of the Eagles' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

ILB DeMeco Ryans

OT Demetress Bell

G Steve Vallos

Subtractions:

OT Winston Justice

DE Juqua Thomas-Parker

WR Steve Smith

DT Trevor Laws

C Jamaal Jackson

Top 5 Needs:

1. Outside Linebacker

Despite all the additions they were able to make last year, the Eagles featured one of the worst starting linebacker corps in the entire NFL. As a result, their defense was left powerless against the run. Philadelphia traded its fourth-round pick for DeMeco Ryans, but the Eagles urgently need to add some help on the outside. Against their normal judgment, the Eagles need to go after linebackers early, unless they can target the player that can be had in the later rounds.

2. Defensive Tackle

Through smart picks, I believe that this is the one area that the Eagles could improve right away through the draft. Cullen Jenkins played well, but Mike Patterson is better suited as a reserve. Head coach Andy Reid is known for going after linemen, so he might just have eyes for Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox with the 15th overall pick.

3. Safety

The Eagles' starting safeties proved to be a disappointment last year. Nate Allen improved at free safety as the season went on, and he is pencilled in to be the starter in 2012. Rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett and Kurt Coleman, however, played horribly at strong safety. The Eagles still see potential in Jarrett and they may not give up on him just yet. However, if they went after Alabama's Mark Barron, then they could truly solidify their unit. Barron is widely considered as the top safety in the draft, and he has incredible instincts against the pass and is great against the run. If they do decide to go on a different direction and upgrade on the front seven, they might just bring some help via the free agency.

4. Wide Receiver/Tight End

Despite the fact that the Eagles were able to re-sign DeSean Jackson, it is pretty clear that quarterback Michael Vick would greatly benefit from a big wideout or tight end that he could really rely on in the red zone. No wideout on the team had more than five touchdown catches all season. Philadelphia has a number of players more than capable of making plays in the open field, but without a good wideout or tight end, then this squad will have some trouble when it gets deep inside opponents' territory.

5. Quarterback

After his incredible run in early 2010, Michael Vick hasn't been the same, and he is one hit away from being sidelined for a number of games. Rumors have swirled that the Eagles are looking into moving up to grab Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill. While there may not be truth to those rumors, the Eagles would be better off if they can find someone they can groom over the next couple of seasons.

2012 Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Needs

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2012 New York Giants Offseason Needs

The 2011 postseason saw one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history. Despite people writing off the New York Giants after losing five of six games late in the year, they put forth a finish that shocked many. First, the Giants won their last two games to clinch the division title. From there, the Giants would go on an improbable run by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots en route to a second Super Bowl win in five years. The Giants handily proved that it matters more how you end the year, than how you started it. The shock of the Giants' run may have worn off and the NFC East is as tough as ever, but it seems that New York is ready to contend for years to come. Here are some of the Giants' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Super Bowl 2012

OLB Keith Rivers

OT Sean Locklear

TE Martellus Bennett

CB Antwaun Molden

Subtractions:

RB Brandon Jacobs

WR Mario Manningham

CB Aaron Ross

ILB Jonathan Goff (free agent)

OT Kareem McKenzie (free agent)

Top 5 Needs:

1. Offensive Tackle

The Giants seem to have moved on and have no plans to bring back starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie, and I believe Will Beatty is just not good enough to be the answer on the left side. David Diehl can obviously play left tackle if needed, but the Giants need to make sure they find someone who is a capable replacement for McKenzie. Second-year tackle James Brewer is an option, but the Giants don't seem too convinced about him starting for the long run.

2. Tight End

Jake Ballard came on strong late in the season and provided a huge boost for the Giants. He came out of nowhere to catch 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL late in the season and the Giants could use an upgrade or added depth at this spot. Stanford's Coby Fleener could just be the guy the team goes for with the final pick in the first round, as he is the highest rated tight end in the draft and a perfect fit for quarterback Eli Manning and the passing attack.

3. Running Back

Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw formed a pretty good tandem in the backfield when healthy. Sadly, Jacobs decided to leave New York to sign a big contract with the 49ers, leaving the Giants in need of someone who can spell Bradshaw. It's no problem, though, as the Giants should be able to find help at the spot with of their picks later in the draft.

4. Middle Linebacker

New York made a splash when they traded for promising outside linebacker Keith Rivers, and he should make an immediate impact right off the bat. With Rivers on this squad, New York has the option of moving Michael Boley inside. Whatever the Giants decide, this won't be as big a need going into the draft. However, it wouldn't hurt to add some additional depth at this spot.

5. Safety

Antrel Rolle's subpar season last year has a lot of people questioning his skill and talent as a team player; however, what most people fail to realize is that Rolle played out of position most of the year to compensate for the Giants' losses at corner. When Rolle played nickel back, he played extremely well and the Giants may opt to use him at that spot in 2012. This need really isn't that pressing, but it would definitely be helpful to add more depth, whether at the draft or through free agency.

2012 New York Giants Offseason Needs

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2012 Baltimore Ravens Offseason Needs

The Baltimore Ravens was playing well enough last season to be in striking distance of the Super Bowl, but a dropped Lee Evans touchdown and a 32-yard missed field goal allowed the New England Patriots to sneak in and win the AFC Championship Game. Now the Ravens' fans have to wonder if Ray Lewis and the defense still have what it takes to make another run at a ring in 2012. With a 12-4 record last year, Baltimore took home the No. 2 seed in the AFC and won the AFC North, but all of that is irrelevant now. What the Ravens need to focus on is putting together a team that can contend in 2012. Here are some of the Ravens' big additions and subtractions so far in the offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the NFL Draft.

Additions:

Super Bowl 2012

S Sean Considine

CB Corey Graham

Subtractions:

DE/OLB Jarret Johnson

G Ben Grubbs

DE/DT Cory Redding

SS Tom Zbikowski

WR Lee Evans

CB Domonique Foxworth

CB Chris Carr

NT Brandon McKinney

Top 5 Needs:

1. Wide Receiver

The Ravens expected too much from Lee Evans last season and he was a major disappointment. As a result, Evans and the team parted ways this offseason. Torrey Smith emerged as legitimate deep threat but, sadly, he isn't versatile enough for anything else. Veteran Anquan Boldin still has some juice left in his game, but his skills are on the decline. Baltimore needs to really shore up the offense by adding some wide outs. Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery should really be in consideration in the draft's first round.

2. Guard/Center

Although the Ravens were able to bring back center Matt Birk for 2012, they were unable to do the same with left guard Ben Grubbs, as he left for the New Orleans Saints in free agency. Birk could very well retire at season's end, so while the team needs to prioritize a replacement for Grubbs at guard, it also needs to look into adding someone who will be ready to take over at center.

3. Offensive Tackle

Bryant McKinnie is one of the older veterans of the team, as he will turn 33 in September, and his game is now on quite a decline. Right tackle Michael Oher looks to slide back into McKinnie's left tackle spot when the time comes for the Ravens to find a replacement, but the team is in dire need of added depth.

4. Outside Linebacker

When Jarrett Johnson chose to sign with the San Diego Chargers this offseason, the Ravens' need to find an outside linebacker who can put pressure on the quarterback became ultimately more pressing. Terrell Suggs can still be relied upon to do his part, but he needs some help. Sergio Kindle was drafted in the second round of the 2010 with the hopes that he could be the guy, but a freak injury derailed his entire rookie season and he was barely used last year.

5. Inside Linebacker

The Ravens can no longer avoid the inevitable any longer. Although Ray Lewis has played at a ridiculously high level despite coming up in age, the team needs to find a replacement for him at middle linebacker. He missed time due to injuries last year, and he might just miss time again this year if his usage doesn't drop. The Ravens were able to re-sign Jameel McClain, but he isn't the long-term solution. Arizona State's Vontaze Burflict could be the answer that the Ravens need if they are able to pick him in the first round.

2012 Baltimore Ravens Offseason Needs

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