NFL draft 2000
NFL team needs: AFC East
As published in print March 23, 2000
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Buffalo Bills|Indianapolis Colts|Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots|New York Jets
Buffalo Bills |
| Needs on offense: A lot depends on the status
of OG Ruben Brown, who was an unrestricted free agent at presstime. If they lose Brown,
the Bills will have to take a long, hard look at the OG position. Even if they keep Brown,
offensive line will be a priority. With Andre Reed no longer in the Bills’ plans,
wide receiver becomes an area of need as well. |
| Needs on defense: Free-agent defections have
created holes on 1999’s top-ranked defense. Thomas Smith’s departure creates a
need at cornerback, where obtaining a cover man with size is critical. The loss of Kurt
Schulz creates an opening at free safety. The Bills want to restock their DL depth after
cutting Bruce Smith and losing Sean Moran. |
| On Draft Day … The Bills probably will
stay put at No. 26 and take a defensive back or offensive lineman. If they go the latter
route, Tennessee S Deon Grant and Jackson State CB Rashard Anderson are possibilities. |
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Indianapolis Colts |
| Needs on offense: The Colts’ offensive
line is not as good as the statistics indicated in ’99. The Colts could stand to
upgrade their athleticism on the line, and one way of doing that might be to draft a right
tackle and move current ORT Adam Meadows to guard. Indy also needs a big, physical
receiver to complement Marvin Harrison. |
| Needs on defense: The Colts need at least one
more quality defensive lineman, either a big, run-stuffing tackle or someone who can start
at left end; at least one linebacker, either a run-stuffing middle guy or a successor to
Cornelius Bennett on the strong side; and at least one defensive back for depth purposes. |
| On Draft Day … Indy could go in almost any
direction in the first round. The only positions to rule out are quarterback, running back
and tight end. The Colts’ defensive needs definitely outweigh their offensive needs. |
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Miami Dolphins |
| Needs on offense: The Dolphins need an
offensive tackle to succeed Richmond Webb, who could be playing his last season in Miami.
The Dolphins also need to add speed at wide receiver. This year could be Tony
Martin’s last in a Miami uniform, as the deep threat’s contract becomes
considerably less cap-friendly in 2001. |
| Needs on defense: Miami’s defense is
pretty solid right now but could lose one of its best players in ’01. DTs Daryl
Gardener and Tim Bowens both can become unrestricted free agents after the 2000 season, so
the Dolphins need to draft someone to groom behind them. Miami has more immediate concerns
at safety. |
| On Draft Day … With former head coach
Jimmy Johnson helping out in the war room, just about anything is possible. The Dolphins
don’t have a first-round pick (their first choice is No. 53 overall) and may look
into acquiring one. Or they might trade down, a tactic that has worked well for Johnson in
the past. |
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New England Patriots |
| Needs on offense: The Patriots have one OL
building block in place in C Damien Woody, but they are still looking for their tackle of
the future. The team may re-sign veteran OLT Bruce Armstrong, but he’s on the wrong
side of 30 and coming off a major knee injury. Free-agent signee Grant Williams is an
adequate starter at best. Running back, wide receiver and tight end are other needs. |
| Needs on defense: The Patriots may go to a 3-4
under Bill Belichick, but they still don’t have enough studs on the defensive line to
complement Willie McGinest. DT Henry Thomas is 35, DT Chad Eaton took a step back last
year and DE Brandon Mitchell is still inconsistent. |
| On Draft Day … The Patriots don’t
have a first-round pick or a lot of ammo to move up into the first round. So look for them
to strongly consider the best offensive or defensive lineman available with their
second-round pick (No. 46 overall). Also look for the Pats to take a running back in the
first half of the draft for the fourth consecutive year. |
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New York Jets |
| Needs on offense: Tight end is the
Jets’ top priority, assuming they don’t change their stance on trading Keyshawn
Johnson. (Just before presstime, Jets head coach Al Groh said the team would "not
entertain any trade offers at this time" for Johnson.) The Jets also need help at
offensive tackle, where depth is minimal. |
| Needs on defense: The one thing the
Jets’ defense really lacks is a star, pass-rushing defensive end. That’s at
least part of the reason they shopped Johnson — to move up into the top four to get a
shot at Penn State’s Courtney Brown, the No. 1 defensive end available. The Jets also
need help at free safety, where Chris Hayes and Kevin Williams are unproven as starters. |
| On Draft Day … Even with the
Johnson deal seemingly off the table, Bill Parcells will still work the phones to try to
maneuver the Jets into a more favorable position. After not having a first-round pick in
’98 or ’99, the Jets have two first-rounders (Nos. 16 and 18) this year. |
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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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