2010 NFL Team Needs: AFC East

Buffalo Bills: QB, OT, WR, NT, 3-4 OLB

The offensive prospects of this upcoming season look grim for the Bills. They have no stability at quarterback. Edwards, Fitzpatrick, and Brohm – three younger guys – may give some false hope that there’s something there, but each week, it’s becoming more obvious that there really isn’t much there. They also have a legitimate argument that there’s nothing there for them to work with. Owens wasn’t great, but at least he had the respect of defenses. Evans is not a true number one. The offensive line isn’t very good, especially after their best player, Brad Butler, shocked the world by retiring earlier this year. They should start by finding a pair of tackles to keep the edge protected and hope for their middle-round investments to pay off inside. Defensively, the shift to the 3-4 means finding the key positions, as is almost the case for new converts. They’ll hope for last year’s 1st round pick Aaron Maybin to show some life at OLB, a position that seems more natural for him. Outside of him, Schobel has threatened retirement and if he does follow through in the next year or two, the Bills have no one lined up behind him.

Miami Dolphins: 3-4 NT, 3-4 OLB, S, 3-4 ILB depth, RB depth

With 35-year-old Jason Ferguson entering the 2010 season with an 8-game suspension, the Dolphins better find someone other than simply serviceable Paul Sollai to man the position. Though they have lost Joey Porter and may lose Jason Taylor who is nearing the end of his career anyway, OLB Cameron Wake is coming into his own. Still, they’ll definitely need a better pass rush to help the secondary. Their rookie duo of Smith and Davis played well last year, especially down the stretch, but they’ll need a good free safety to patch up the remaining leaks. Even though they added Karlos Dansby, they could still use depth at inside linebacker where Channing Crowder is seldom healthy. On offense, the acquisition of Brandon Marshall removes any gaping hole they had on that side of the ball. They should continue to add depth as value presents itself, but especially on the offensive line and at running back where Ronnie Brown’s health is yet again in question.

New England Patriots: 3-4 OLB, WR, 3-4 DE, RB, TE

If the Patriots are unable to get a pass rush from their outside linebacker next year, they may be forced to use 4-3 looks more often. Last year they didn’t do well applying pressure on the quarterback as Tully Banta-Cain was the only player to notch more than 5 sacks. A powerful 3-4 end capable of getting to the quarterback could also help take more of the pressure off the linebackers. Offensively, the Patriots need to add more playmakers to the offense. Wes Welker is coming off an injury sustained in the last regular season game, which will set back the start to his 2010 season. Randy Moss is set to become a free agent after this year and doesn’t expect the Patriots to re-sign him. If they can add a couple of athletes at RB, WR, and/or TE, they can ease the pressure off a potential loss of Randy Moss.

New York Jets: 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB, S, OG, OT

After aggressively pursuing players to fit their needs via free agency and trade, the Jets are left with few imminent needs. The one glaring need they have yet to fill is defensive end where Mike DeVito is penciled in as the starter opposite 33-year old Shaun Ellis. They could also boost the pass rush to continue building on top of the league’s best pass defense a season ago. If Vernon Gholston doesn’t make a splash this season, the Jets will no longer be able to justify paying him top coin and will need another hope to turn to. Shipping Kerry Rhodes to Arizona also creates a void in the secondary, which may be filled by Brodney Pool, but only if he can stay healthy. Their offensive gameplan should focus on rebuilding their aging offensive line that remains the strength of the team. They could look to develop a RT, but will be more imminently faced with a need at LG as Alan Faneca’s ride with the Jets comes to a close.

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