NFL draft 2000
NFL team needs: AFC Central
As published in print March 23, 2000
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Baltimore Ravens|Cincinnati Bengals|Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars|Pittsburgh Steelers|Tennessee Titans
Baltimore Ravens |
| Needs on offense: The Ravens remain on the
prowl for offensive playmakers in the worst way. A game-breaking wide receiver and a
Marshall Faulk-type back who can catch the ball out of the backfield still appear to be
first-round priorities, although a real quality offensive lineman who could add depth to a
unit that has lost starters Jeff Blackshear and Everett Lindsay is also a possibility. |
| Needs on defense: The Ravens’ needs
aren’t nearly as glaring on a defensive unit that was one of the league’s best
in ’99. With Rod Woodson not getting any younger and Kim Herring considered adequate
at best, they could use a safety. They also might consider a defensive tackle and a
linebacker, just in case Ray Lewis’ legal problems keep him sidelined. |
| On Draft Day … With the fifth and 15th
overall picks, the Ravens have been courted by lots of suitors. At presstime, though, they
were supposedly leaning toward staying put and, with no clear consensus on the fifth-best
player available, possibly making an Edgerrin James-type surprise pick with their first
pick. It wouldn’t shock anyone, though, if they decided to trade down before all is
said and done. If the Bengals, as rumored, go after WR Peter Warrick with the No. 4
overall pick, the Ravens could very well offer Cincy a second-round pick for unhappy WR
Carl Pickens. |
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Cincinnati Bengals |
| Needs on offense: The Bengals will probably
draft an offensive lineman, but they aren’t desperate for one who can start right
away. WR depth is a need, especially if Carl Pickens is dealt. Running back becomes a
concern if Corey Dillon lands elswhere, but that is unlikely. |
| Needs on defense: The No. 1 need is at
cornerback, but there’s not one worthy of being taken at the top of the draft. That
may mean Cincinnati will take a corner in the second round for the third straight year. |
| On Draft Day … It appears that the value
with the fourth overall pick will either be OLT Chris Samuels, DE Courtney Brown or WR
Peter Warrick. The Bengals are reasonably happy with their starters at all those
positions, but any of those three players would be an upgrade. Pickens could be shopped
for a second-round pick, possibly to Baltimore. That would make Warrick perhaps the most
desirable of the three. The Bengals could also consider trading down. |
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Cleveland Browns |
| Needs on offense: The Browns can use
help all over on offense, especially in the speed department. The most glaring need is at
wide receiver, but they also want to improve at tight end. They signed Errict Rhett to
start at running back, but adding someone there remains a possibility. A backup offensive
tackle is also on the list. |
| Needs on defense: Despite signing DEs
Orpheus Roye and Keith McKenzie as free agents, the Browns want a top pass rusher. They
also would like to make CB Daylon McCutcheon a nickel back instead of a starter, so a
bigger corner is desired. Help at outside linebacker and strong safety are possibilities. |
| On Draft Day … The Browns will likely pass
over Florida State WR Peter Warrick and tab Courtney Brown at No. 1 overall. Because the
WR position is so deep this year, Cleveland believes it can get a receiver better than
Kevin Johnson (last year’s second-rounder) with the 32nd overall pick. |
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Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Needs on offense: The Jaguars will
likely target wide receiver and guard as their top priorities. Jimmy Smith is outstanding,
but some say Keenan McCardell has lost a step. Also, the team has never had an outstanding
third wideout. Along the line, the Jaguars lost Rich Tylski to the Steelers, and Ben
Coleman is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent. Last year’s third-round pick,
Anthony Cesario, was a disappointment. The only guard on the roster with NFL experience is
Zach Wiegert. |
| Needs on defense: Starting LBs Lonnie
Marts and Hardy Nickerson are both getting long in the tooth, so youthful depth is a
priority. Look for the Jaguars to draft a couple of linebackers, one relatively early, the
other late in the draft. |
| On Draft Day … Jacksonville will likely go
after the best wide receiver available with the No. 29 pick in the first round, provided
they believe they can find a veteran guard on the market after the June 1 cuts. |
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Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Needs on offense: Pittsburgh has two major
needs on this side of the ball — offensive line and wide receiver. The only sure
thing on the Steelers’ line is OLG Alan Faneca. They have a lot of bodies at tackle
but no real marquee players. At wide receiver, ’99 first-rounder Troy Edwards looks
like a keeper, but both he and fellow starter Hines Ward lack size. |
| Needs on defense: The line is the biggest need.
NT Joel Steed’s future is up in the air because of knee problems, and DE Orpheus Roye
left via free agency. Chris Sullivan and Kimo von Oelhoffen were signed as possible
replacements, but they are hardly superstars. Cornerback ranks behind the line on the
needs list. |
| On Draft Day … The Steelers will take a
long, hard look at either Florida State DL Corey Simon or Michigan State WR Plaxico
Burress with the No. 8 pick, should either fall that far. New personnel man Kevin Colbert
comes from Detroit, where the Lions did a great deal of Draft Day maneuvering the last two
years, so don’t rule out a trade. |
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Tennessee Titans |
| Needs on offense: The Titans will look for a
big, physical wide receiver to stir things up at a position full of bodies. Jackie
Harris’ departure via free agency could result in a tight end being drafted. Someone
to challenge backup RB Rodney Thomas may also be on the docket. Tennessee will always
draft a lineman somewhere along the way. |
| Needs on defense: A serious upgrade in LB depth
is needed, but the Titans do not necessarily need multidimensional players. Because of the
pass rush supplied by their defensive line, the Titans can afford to draft linebackers who
don’t necessarily possess great pass-rushing skills. Tennessee will try to find
possible heirs for safeties Blaine Bishop and Marcus Robertson. Traditionally, the team
has drafted cornerbacks and converted them into safeties. This may be the first time in
quite a while that Tennessee selects a pure safety. |
| On Draft Day … While their biggest
holes concern depth at linebacker and safety, the Titans don’t believe they have to
address their needs in any particular order. Look for them to take the best value with
each pick throughout the draft. |
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For complete NFL draft coverage, get the print edition of Pro Football Weekly's 2000
Draft Preview book. It's available at bookstores and newsstands across the country or
you can call 1-800-FOOTBALL (1-800-366-8225) to order a copy. |
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