I think it depends on how you define needs. There are, IMO, 3 levels of need.
1) Guys you need now to plug a liability
2) Bodies for depth. You are fine at the position, but need more players, although it isnt that critical which jags you get.
3) Guys that are vital now, but need to be developed, i.e. draft choice at a position where starters are good but aging.
ILb is the biggest need from a body standpoint. There is no doubt we need more ILBs. But, if Vrabel will be moving inside, and staying there, it isnt a need to be sure we win now. Jags can fill in the backup spots, and we have 2 young guys with potential, but have definitive need in the near future. Are Mays and Alexander future starters here? If not, we should be grooming someone else. If so, are they the jags of today?
S IMO fits all 3 areas. We MAY need a safety to contribute in 2007. Harrison has to be an inuury concern. Wilson as well. Hawkins, IMO, is either on his way out, or a last option. Sanders could step in but having someone to compete as the 3rd S would be a good idea. Bodies are needed to compete for s/ts and safeties have been our best s/ts performers for years. We also need safeties to develop as future starters.
----The difference, IMO, is that safeties come cheaper (in both the round you get them in the draft or what you pay in FA) than LBs, so if its a toss up, you go LB first, s next.
I dont see RB as a need. We have our 3. This is Maroney team as far as RB is concerned. Faulk is the 3rd down guy. Morris is 3 things. First a special teamer, second the backup to grab a few snaps a game, and 3rd the starter if Maroney is out, with Faulk staying in the 3rd down role.
I think we should add at least 1 OL in the draft, because BB will see a guy who is good value at the spot, and plug him into the OL program. Britt, Yates, Mruc are vulnerable to being replaced by a guy with more upside, so if he is on the board, BB will grab him, likely early day 2.
WR........I think we are done adding those guys.
QB. IMO, this is a need everyone is overlooking. Personally, I am not ready to rely on Matt Cassell to step in if Brady goes down. I would love to have a rookie #3 with the potential to challenge Cassell. I would like to have a guy with good college experience and as much potential as Cassell who can push him for the #2 spot, or replace him if Brady goes down and Cassell struggles.
Personally, if I were a GM, I would draft Troy Smith. forget all of the measurables, Ive seen this guy play, Ive seen his attitude, and he is a flat out winner. I'd love the Pats to draft him in the 3rd round.
Corner. Absolutely a need. I like Samuel and Hobbs. I'm so-so on Chad Scott, and if we are going to rely on Randall Gay, we are asking for trouble. I'm fine if Gay is the #3 if he is healthy, but not fine if we don't have a good option if he is hurt again. I think Chad Scott is closer to the end than the prime of his career. I think a corner somewhere by the 4th round would be a great idea. He would be able to earn the #3 spot if he is capable, and wouldnt necessarily have to be any more than the 5th. I'd like to use that 3rd on a corner along with Troy Smith.
If we are solely looking at the draft, I'd like 4 players on day 1, in no particular order: (expect no QB in round 1 of course)
LB
S
CB
QB
On day 2, I'd like an OL, a DL (no reason we cannot look for an upgrade at DT in the middle rounds). The rest of the picks can be used pretty mcuh anywhere, because there would be room at the end of the roster, ps, or special teams for anyone who falls into round 5-7 and turns out to be an NFL caliber rookie.
