AFC West 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

San Diego Chargers
Top needs: DL, OL, DB
San Diego is another team heading into draft day with the flexibility to focus on adding depth. Jamal Williams is still a monster in the middle of the defense, but he has been somewhat injury prone and he is approaching his mid 30s. The wear-and-tear of being a 330 pound tackle in the 3-4 defense would seem to predicate making plans to replace him, or at least give him a rest once in awhile. By many accounts, LT Marcus McNeill took a step back last season. While his job isn’t likely in jeopardy Zoneblitz is a believer in building via the lines. As such, with as few weaknesses as this team has, investing in a couple linemen on either side of the ball to challenge current starters would be wise. At DB, Eric Weddle is expected to step in at one safety spot this season. But the Chargers lost Drayton Florence, who lost his job to Antonio Cromartie. So, if I were in charge, a good nickel back that could also back up at either CB or safety would be at the top of my list.

Denver Broncos
Top needs: S, DT, LB
While Mike Shanahan is always looking for ways to add more running backs to his committee it’s the Broncos defense that has gotten bucked in recent years with an inability to stop the run or the pass. Most publications have been saying that defensive tackle is the biggest need so Zoneblitz decided to list safety first, just to shake things up. In truth, the team has little talent in either area. The team is a sieve to a good, power running game, giving up more than 140 yards a game in 2007 and more than 400 points. Linebacker is also a necessity. DJ Williams was miscast as a middle linebacker last season and he is penciled in at weakside heading into the draft. Someone will have to fill the spot last ably manned by Al Wilson. One need the Broncos do have on the offensive side of the ball is at left tackle where the solid Matt Lepsis decided to hang it up.

Kansas City Chiefs
Top needs: OL, QB, DB
At the moment the Chiefs are one of the league’s worst teams. Kansas City management seemed to be in denial that Will Shields and Willie Roaf would at some point decide to retire. But the offensive line, once a strength, was allowed to age and now it stands as a weak spot. It’s a spot desperately in need of improvement too as the team sports one of the league’s best running backs in Larry Johnson and a developmental quarterback in Brodie Croyle, who might be destined to follow in David Carr’s pussy-footsteps anyway, but certainly won’t be helped during the growing process if he is constantly smeared all over the Arrowhead Stadium turf. Zoneblitz has always believed Croyle was overrated as even a mid-round draft prospect anyway but he’ll be curled up in the fetal position by the midway point of 2008 if the line remains a weak spot. Patrick Surtain and Ty Law will both jump from the NFL to social security in the next few years, also necessitating some younger blood. But again, picking a top three needs for the Chiefs is pretty much like shooting ducks or dogs or whatever kind of animal the saying uses in a barrel. This team needs to tear it all apart and start over.

Oakland Raiders
Top needs: Owner, WR, OL, DT
Just what in the hell is this team doing? The coach reportedly hates the owner. The owner supposedly tried to get the coach to quit and he took away most of the personnel power Lane Kiffin had when Kiffin wouldn’t leave. He then went and spent countless millions retaining and adding mediocre, injury-prone and malcontent free agents that left most observers picking their jaws up off their keyboards. The Raiders need some targets for QB JaMarcus Russell. Javon Walker might be one of them. But then again, just as likely, he might not. But the Raiders gave one of the league’s biggest whiners a six-year deal that maxes out at $55 million in hopes that he will help the Raiders thumb their noses at former coach Mike Shanahan in Denver. The guess here at Zoneblitz is that Shanny gets the last laugh on that move. Kwame Harris isn’t a complete waste of space at tackle, but he doesn’t solve the Raiders’ immense needs there either. Finally, despite spending more millions retaining Tommy Kelly and adding William Joseph, most observers say the Raiders still haven’t effectively replaced the retired Warren Sapp yet either. A year ago it appeared as though the Raiders might be at least moving in the right direction. Now it appears as though the Silver and Black is nowhere near being back.