AFC North 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Pittsburgh Steelers
Top needs: OL, DB, DE
Alan Faneca left, Marvel Smith has struggled, Sean Mahan did not play well last year, Kendall Simmons has had his ups and downs and while Willie Colon has a some skills he hasn’t fully developed either. That right there is pretty much the entire line that often failed to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright and create running room for Willie Parker. At defensive back Anthony Smith was the clown that ran his mouth and then got schooled by Randy Moss. He’s not a starter but the guys ahead of him haven’t been terribly durable. At defensive end the Steelers have the solid Aaron Smith but many publications say there is concern he is slowing down.

Cleveland Browns
Top needs: CB, OLB/DE, RB
The Cleveland Browns might have boring uniforms but this organization is a popular pick to be one of the league’s most exciting young teams this season. They need to improve on a defense that struggled through most of a 10-6 season in 2007 and they have taken several steps to do so by adding DTs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to a line that couldn’t stop the run. Now they need to replace CB Leigh Bodden, traded to Detroit in the Rogers deal. He was a largely unknown but respected and improving piece that was tough to see go. Improving the pass rush with a complement to LB Kamerion Wimbley would also help. On offense the Browns are largely set after adding Donte Stallworth to the WR rotation. Jamal Lewis had a resurgent season last year but he’s getting up there in age. A running back that could step in to give him a breather would be a useful piece to the puzzle.
Cincinnati Bengals
Top needs: WR, LB, DT
After a couple years where it looked like the Bengals were trending upward the bottom could be close to falling out. Carson Palmer might not have any wide receivers left with Chris “If I can’t give high school students beer then I’ll kick out your back windshield and punch you in the face” Henry (finally) released and Chad Johnson trying to whine his way out of town. T.J. Houshmandzadeh still remains but he’s skipping off-season workouts, leaving Palmer to work with a handful of receivers that will likely be bagging groceries when the season starts. The team also needs to start adding some defensive talent, primarily along the line, where Justin Smith left, and at linebacker, where the team last season was forced by injury to employ several guys who should have been bagging groceries with the guys now catching practice passes from Palmer. Could be a tough year ahead in Cincy.

Baltimore Ravens
Top needs: QB, LT, CB
Kyle Boller hasn’t developed, Steve McNair is retired and Troy Smith is a long way from being ready to take the helm as a starter for the Ravens, my early guess for the number one pick in the 2009 draft. No quarterback coupled with the likely retirement of likely Hall-of-Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden leave the Ravens lacking at two of an offense’s most important positions. The Ravens still have some cogs especially on defense. But cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister are aging and they don’t have anyone waiting in the wings. Safety is also a possibility as Ed Reed is the only sure thing. Couple the question marks with a brutal schedule and the 2008 season is likely a building one for new coach John Harbaugh.