NFL draft 2000
NFL team needs: NFC Central
As published in print March 23, 2000
|
| QuickClicks to scouting reports ...
Chicago Bears|Detroit Lions|Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings|Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chicago Bears |
| Needs on offense: The Bears will likely come
away with a running back, given that former No. 1 pick Curtis Enis hasn’t shown much
yet. The WR position could be addressed since Bobby Engram had not yet re-signed with the
team as of presstime. Though the team utilized three tight ends last season, none stood
out, so that position could be looked at as well. The Bears are minus a starting left
guard, but the hole could be filled internally. |
| Needs on defense: Chicago filled its primary
needs in free agency. Now the team needs to add depth, especially at safety. The Bears
drafted three linebackers last season, but only Warrick Holdman stood out. Up front, the
team could use another pass rusher, considering starting DLE Bryan Robinson is more of a
run defender. |
| On Draft Day … Look for the Bears to
either use their first-round pick on the best player available or trade down to acquire
more picks. Above everything, Chicago wants impact players. |
Top of page
Detroit Lions |
| Needs on offense: RB depth and OL help top the
Lions’ wish list. Though OTs Ray Roberts and Aaron Gibson are expected to return from
injuries in 2000, Detroit may still draft an offensive tackle high and shuffle the lineup
so that the five best linemen are on the field. While the Lions have prized free-agent RB
James Stewart in the fold, they still need a suitable insurance policy. |
| Needs on defense: The Lions don’t have any
overwhelming needs on defense, but they’d like to add a pass rusher and a cornerback.
They’d like to get a pass-rushing DE-OLB for depth purposes since the team returns
its starting LB corps for the first time under head coach Bobby Ross. |
| On Draft Day … If a top running
back falls to them in Round One, the Lions may have to think about pulling the trigger.
Otherwise, there’s a good chance they’ll select an offensive tackle first and a
running back second. |
Top of page
Green Bay Packers |
| Needs on offense: The Packers have very little
WR help after the No. 3 spot, and Mark Chmura’s recent neck injury could force them
to select a tight end. The team is comfortable with its offensive line but may be better
off adding another tackle. RB Dorsey Levens is still without a suitable backup, especially
considering De’Mond Parker (knee) might not be ready. |
| Needs on defense: Finding defensive linemen is
of the utmost importance. DT Gilbert Brown may not be back, DT Santana Dotson’s
production has slipped and the team’s backups have little experience. Linebacker is
another top need, with Brian Williams coming off knee surgery and George Koonce on shaky
ground. The Packers believe they’re set at cornerback, but they still need a No. 3
safety. |
| On Draft Day … With extra picks in
the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, as well as a possible high compensatory pick (for
the loss of OG Adam Timmerman), the Packers may have the ammo to move up in Round One.
Wherever they end up, look for a defensive player to be selected first. |
Top of page
Minnesota Vikings |
| Needs on offense: The losses of C Jeff Christy
and OG Randall McDaniel leave the Vikings thin on the line. Matt Birk and Corbin Lacina
are the frontrunners to take over the center and OLG starting jobs, respectively, but
there’s very little behind them. With Leroy Hoard not expected back, the team will
likely select a backup running back in the later rounds. Andrew Glover’s departure
leaves a void at tight end that could be addressed in the draft. |
| Needs on defense: The Vikings need everything
but linebackers. Currently, their starting defensive ends are Fernando Smith and John
Burrough. The team needs better. At cornerback, Kenny Wright and Chris Rogers are entering
only their second seasons, and Robert Tate moved from wide receiver last year. The team
needs help there as well. With FS Orlando Thomas coming off a down season, the Vikings
hope Torrian Gray can make a successful return from knee surgery and back up Thomas.
Overall, depth in the secondary is poor, so the team needs improvement. |
| On Draft Day … The Vikings may try
to trade down to acquire more picks. Regardless, they’re likely to take defensive
linemen and defensive backs early. |
Top of page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Needs on offense: The Bucs need wide receivers,
but not just any wide receivers. They need big, physical pass catchers who can block
downfield and make plays over the middle. Tampa Bay also needs another offensive lineman,
despite its acquisitions of C Jeff Christy and OG Randall McDaniel. The team’s
starting tackles are currently Jerry Wunsch and Jason Odom, neither of whom scares
anybody. Tight end may be addressed as well. |
| Needs on defense: The LB position may be
addressed, with Hardy Nickerson gone to Jacksonville and the Bucs’ depth in question.
Free safety is another area of concern, considering Damien Robinson still has growing
pains. The team may also look at defensive end, where its two regulars combined for just
8½ sacks last season, only one of which came in the final eight games. |
| On Draft Day … Privately, the Bucs
haven’t ruled out taking a defensive player, whether it be a linebacker or a
defensive end, in Round One. Remember, the team drafted Anthony McFarland last year to
bolster its DT depth. Otherwise, the Bucs will be thinking wide receiver and offensive
line while entertaining offers to move up, and they will pay close attention to what
happens with Florida State WR Peter Warrick, who could also improve Tampa Bay’s
ailing return game. |
Top of page
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. |
|
The Archives
1999 - 2000 Season |
| Online writers — features and
columns by our PFW staff, columnists, AFC reporters, NFC reporters and contributing
writers |
| College football — articles,
college notepad, key college game previews, PFW's college top 10 |
| Fantasy football — articles,
injury reports, weekly fantasy tips, weekly matchups, The Fantasy Doctor, mock drafts,
draft boards, "In our opinion" daily fantasy columns, player profiles |
| Free-agency |
| General features — Internet
features, features from our print edition, special reports |
| Handicapper's Corner —
staff selections, games of the week, PFW Players of the Week, NFL standings, weekly
handicapping columns, predictions |
| "A closer look" —
in-depth analysis of general football topics |
| "In our opinion" daily columns
— opinions on general football topics |
| "PFW spins" —
short-takes on current events |
| Joel Buchsbaum — college
player evaluations, NFL player analysis, NFL draft coverage, NFL notepad, NFList, Q and
A's, college game previews and other NFL articles by PFW's contributing editor |
| NFL Draft — player evaluations,
printouts, feature stories, commentaries, draft recaps |
| Ron Pollack — articles and
commentary by PFW's editor-in-chief |
| Season in review —
the 1999-2000 NFL season |
| XFL — a new football league begins |
|
|
