AFC North: Team Needs for 2009 NFL Draft

NFL DRAFT NEEDS

Baltimore Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens are having a great rebound year this season with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco under center. But the defense still is the star on this team.

The defense is still playing at an elite level, but they are beginning to show their age, with three of the top four corners and linebackers over the age of 30. The Ravens will address these areas in the draft.

I can see Baltimore selecting a cornerback in the first round to replace aging Samari Rolle, and then an inside linebacker to replace either Bart Scott or Ray Lewis, who are both potential free agents this offseason. Later in the draft, I could see the ravens selecting a wide receiver to replace Derrick Mason down the road, and also an outside linebacker to add depth.

Bengals.gif" border="0" alt="Bengals" hspace="12" align="left" style="width: 175px; height: 185px;" />Cincinnati Bengals: The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a very disappointing year in which many people expected them to do much better. The Bengals will need to upgrade almost every position on the defensive side of the ball in this draft.

They should get a defensive tackle, a linebacker, and a defensive end in this draft. The defensive tackle pick is key to replace an aging John Thornton. They also have a lot of question marks on the offensive side of the ball.

They still do not have a true left tackle, and with the abundance of great tackles in this draft, it would not surprise me if they took one with their first round pick. Michael Oher from Ole Miss is the popular pick right now. There are still question marks at quarterback and running back, where late-round picks could be used to help the situation.

Browns.gif" border="0" alt="Browns" hspace="12" align="left" style="width: 175px; height: 200px;" />Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland Browns are coming off a terrible year in which preseason prognostications had the team making the playoffs. They also need the most help on the defensive side of the ball, where they need immediate help at the linebacker position and cornerback.

They will take a linebacker in the first round, but they have their choice of choosing an inside linebacker to compliment D’Qwell Jackson, or an outside linebacker to replace Willie McGinest. I could see them selecting Aaron Curry to play in the middle or Brain Orakpo to play the outside, in the first round.

The Browns need a corner to play opposite Eric Wright; they will address this in the second or third round. On offense, the Browns will need to find an eventual replacement for Jamal Lewis at running back. Look for the Browns to pick up an offensive lineman late in the draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have had a great season so far this year as they are preparing to play Arizona in the Super Bowl. The Steelers' main area of emphasis in this 2009 draft should be the offensive line.

Ben Roethlisberger takes more vicious hits than any other quarterback in the NFL. The tackle position could be affected by the one of the starters leaving for free agency. If that happens, the tackle position needs to be addressed early in the draft. The guard and center positions also need to be addressed in this draft. I could see them picking Alex Mack, the center from Cal, in the first round.

The only concern on the defensive side of the ball is Casey Hampton’s weight. They should find a late-round sleeper at nose guard if Casey’s weight continues to be a problem.

Check out the AFC WEST, AFC SOUTH, and AFC EAST Draft needs as well.

Original story located at: Opensports.com