| 16 April 2009
In the weeks leading up to the draft, LWN will take a look at team needs for each division prior to the draft. Then he will come out with the draft preview the week prior. We will look at each division in order of record from last season.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS- 2008 Record 10-6
Key Losses: Darren Sharper, Matt Birk
Key Additions: Sage Rosenfels
Needs: WR, C, T, QB, S
Minnesota has made very few moves in the off season. The biggest moves they made were losing two starters while acquiring a backup quarterback. Rosenfels may be best remembered for single handedly giving a game to the Colts last season. The left side of the Vikings offensive line remains intact, but the right side is in flux. The Vikes let long time center Matt Birk go, giving them only the untested John Sullivan on the roster. The Vikings may consider adding a wide receiver because while Sidney Rice can fly, he can't seem to catch and Bernard Berrian has never been a stats-master. Only Adrian Peterson can save this offense, but coaches seem upset that he has gained weight in the off season.
CHICAGO BEARS- 2008 Record 9-7
Key Losses: John St. Clair, Mike Brown?, Marty Booker?, John Tait, Kyle Orton
Key Additions: Jay Cutler, Kevin Shaffer, Josh Bullocks, Orlando Pace
Needs: LB, WR, OL, QB
The Bears made a splash in the off season signing Jay Cutler and giving him a body guard in Orlando Pace. This immediately makes the Bears better than last season and gives them an added dimension, a passing one. The Bears lost some lineman, but plugged the holes. They do need to add depth on the line. They also may want to invest in some wide receivers since Devin Hester isn't a valuable number two yet, and the other receivers on the roster are: Rashied Davis, Earl Bennett, Devin Aromashodu, Brandon Rideau and John Broussard. Also, they may want to find a backup quarterback in case something happens to Cutler. On defense, the only consideration should be adding depth to the secondary and perhaps a linebacker for the future.
GREEN BAY PACKERS- 2008 Record 6-10
Key Losses: Colin Cole
Key Additions: None
Needs: LB, OL
The Packers made few moves, but have most of their team in place. Perhaps the team administrators believed that last season was a fluke, but the heat will certainly be turned up if Aaron Rodgers fails to perform this season. The line remains in place, so barring injury Ryan Grant should continue churning out yards. Additionally, Greg Jennings should have a career year and Donald Driver is still productive. Also, last year the Packers did draft Jordy Nelson so I think they will not go in that direction. On defense, the secondary is in place even if they might not be as good as advertised. The Packers may want to add depth at the linebacker position. Overall it has been a pretty stagnant off season for the Packers thus far.
DETROIT LIONS- 2008 Record- 0-16
Key Losses: None, I refuse to admit anyone was key on that squad.
Key Additions: Julian Peterson, Maurice Morris, Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry, Eric King, Grady Jackson, Bryant Johnson
Needs: QB, OL, DL,
How can you judge a team that had -246 net points this past season, by their record, 0-16 the worst single season in football history overtaking the 1976 Buccaneers (0-14)? That being said, they have added some decent players to the 2009 team. The offense needs a quarterback for certain but will they draft one on day one? Does the team really want to give all that guaranteed money to an unproven player? They could certainly use depth in almost any position and this draft will set the tone for the next five years or so.
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