AFC SOUTH

The AFC South is dominated by the team in the division that plays farthest north – the Indianapolis Colts. Indy has won the division six times in the eight seasons since NFL realignment created this division in 2002. Still, Peyton Manning can’t throw with his laser rocket arm forever, so there’s some hope for the other squads, right? Well, maybe not this season, but you never know. After all, Houston is taking baby steps towards the playoffs, the Titans won 13 games in 2008, and Jacksonville was the fourth-place team despite a 7-9 record, so they’re certainly not a team that can be immediately discounted.

Indianapolis Colts

It’s entirely possible the Colts would have finished the regular season with an undefeated record had they kept all their starters in for the season’s final games. They didn’t, however, and wound up with a 14-2 record. They were the favorites to win the Super Bowl, but a mediocre performance across the board saw them come up short to the Saints. Still, they’ll be one of the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl in the 2010 season.

Team Strengths:

- Passing Attack (The Colts were second in the NFL in passing offense, and there isn’t a better quarterback on planet Earth than Peyton Manning)
- Organizational Consistency (Indianapolis, led by Bill Polian, is lauded for their ability to keep things smooth, even in transition. Nobody seemed to blink as Jim Caldwell took over for Tony Dungy)
- Depth (Whenever somebody goes down, there always seems to be a quality replacement ready to go and not skip a beat. See: Garcon, Pierre)

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Tackle - The Colts do not have a big defensive presence inside, and though they’ve won this way in the past, it could never hurt for them to remedy the situation. They finished 24th in the league in run defense last season, giving up 126.5 rush yards per game.

2. Kicking Game - Matt Stover, an accurate but weak leg likely won’t be back, and it says something when he replaces a seemingly healthy Adam Vinatieri in the playoffs. Vinatieri is 37 years-old, and it’s time for Indy to head in another direction.

3. Backup QB - This may seem silly to some, but Manning will be 34 years old next season, and longtime backup Jim Sorgi just signed to play behind Peyton’s brother, Eli, in New York. We all saw what happened with Curtis Painter last season, did we not?

Houston Texans

After two consecutive 8-8 seasons, the Texans broke the .500 mark in 2009 with a 9-7 record; it was the organization’s first time finishing above .500. There are a lot of quality individual pieces in Houston, but are there enough components to put together an excellent total team?

Team Strengths:

- Passing Game (Houston finished first in the NFL in passing offense behind quarterback Matt Schaub and arguably the best wide out in all the league in Andre Johnson)
- Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing (These three represent an excellent nucleus for a Texans’ defense that underperformed despite their personnel)
- Owen Daniels (Yes he got hurt but there’s no reason to think he won’t bounce back strong. He emerged as one of the best tight ends in the game before the injury)

Team Needs:

1. Secondary Help - The Texans were 18th in the NFL in pass defense last season (217.9 passing yards per game), and 20th in the league in interceptions (14). They just lost their best corner back in Dunta Robinson, and they are not deep at safety, so this is an issue that is critical for them to address in the draft, especially when you consider they play Peyton Manning and the Colts twice.

2. Running Back - Steve Slaton must have dipped his hands in butter before each game last season, because his fingers were slicker than a Slip ‘N Slide in a downpour. He played 11 games last season and fumbled seven times, losing five of them. He’s lost the confidence of the coaches, and he’ll have to earn it back; the rest of the team’s runners offer little real upside.

3. Pass Rushers - A team that spent six of its last seven first-round picks on defensive players, and, specifically, four of its last six first-round picks on defensive lineman has no business being 25th in the NFL in sacks (30), but that is the distinction the Texans hold. Obviously, many of those selections haven’t worked out, so Houston needs to improve here.
{pagebreak}

Tennessee Titans

Much was expected of the Titans going into the 2009 season. What wasn’t expected was an 8-8 record and a third-place finish in the AFC South. The good news for the Titans is that Vince Young came back from a career that was headed to the gutter. It’s safe to say this season, and the organization’s immediate future, rests in his hands.

Team Strengths:

- Chris Johnson (There’s nothing we can tell you about Johnson that you don’t already know. If he’s not the best back in the league, he’s 1A)
- Offensive Line (Tennessee’s is an underrated unit. Even with veteran center Kevin Mawae unlikely to be back, the team is confident Leroy Harris can step right in with no problem)
- Head Coach (There was some insane talk about Jeff Fisher possibly losing his job when the Titans started off so horrifically last year. But Fisher turned the team around, and he’s proven to be one of the best in the business)

Team Needs:

1. Secondary - The Titans got lit up through the air last season, coming in 31st in both pass defense (258.7 pass yards per game) and passing scores allowed (31). Cortland Finnegan is a solid player, but they need more)

2. Wide Receiver/Tight End - Drafting Kenny Britt in the first round last season was a nice start, but they have precious few other intriguing options. The Titans will undoubtedly focus on the running attack, and rightly so, but it can’t hurt to have an extra receiving threat available)

3. Linebacker - Tennessee made inroads here by signing solid veteran Will Witherspoon, but Keith Bulluck is a free agent, and none of the other players in the team’s linebacking corps excite anyone)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville’s lack of defensive play makers was a killer for them this season, and that deficiency helped lead them to a fourth-place finish in the AFC South with a 7-9 record. Jacksonville has a solid if unspectacular quarterback, but a spectacular running back and an emerging star at wide receiver. Now, they simply need to ramp up the defense and maybe get a hand on the opposing quarterback once in a while.

Team Strengths:

- Running Game (Maurice Jones-Drew is as explosive as almost any other running back in the league, and there isn’t any element of his game that’s lacking)
- Mike Sims-Walker (As expected by some prognosticators, Sims-Walker broke out and had a superb season. His size and skill set are outstanding; now, he just has to stay healthy)
- Rashean Mathis (The cornerback battled injuries last season, but he still managed three interceptions in 10 games, and is the team’s best play maker on defense.)

Team Needs:

1. Pass Rushers - When you make a fist with your hand, how many fingers are you holding up? Well, that’s the same number of teams that had fewer sacks than Jacksonville’s 14 last season. Z-e-r-o. The Chiefs were the second-worst team at getting to the quarterback last season, and they had seven more sacks. First-round pick Derrick Harvey has been a bust, with 5.5 sacks in his two-year career. The team brought in Aaron Kampman to start opposite Harvey this season, and will need him to step up in a big way.

2. Wide Receiver - We lauded the ability of Mike Sims-Walker, and Mike Thomas, a rookie last season, has a lot of promise, but they’re still missing an element in the passing game, and that element probably does not exist on the current roster.

3. Secondary - Jacksonville was bad against the pass last season, though part of that had to do with the fact that they put such little pressure on the opposition’s quarterback. Still, they need playmakers in the secondary like the British need dental work.

NFC Needs By Division:  NFC West  |  NFC North |  NFC South  |  NFC East

AFC Needs By Division:  AFC West  |  AFC North |  AFC South |  AFC East

Feel we missed something with regards to one of the team’s above, let us know by heading to the Bruno Boys Forum.

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

AFC EAST

The AFC East proved to be very competitive in 2009. Even though the New England Patriots won the division title with a 10-6 record they no longer appear to be the dominant team they have been the last decade. As a matter of fact, it was the New York Jets, not the Patriots, who found themselves in the AFC Championship game. However, Miami Dolphins, who were the Cinderella story of the division in 2008, took a step back last season finishing 7-9. On the other hand, the Buffalo Bills continued to toil in mediocrity finishing with just six wins and it was the sixth time in eight years they finished a season with seven or less wins. Over the past two seasons the Dolphins and the Jets showed how important a solid off-season can be. That being said it’s time take a look at some team needs for the AFC East in 2010.

New England Patriots

There were plenty of question marks for the New England Patriots heading into the 2009 NFL season, most notably was the health of superstar quarterback Tom Brady. He was returning from major knee surgery that cost him almost the entire 2008 season. After a rough start Brady rebounded and led the team to a 10-6 record and a playoff birth, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens 33-14. This is still a very talented team and with Brady at the helm they always have a chance to win; however. to stay competitive in the AFC they do need to address some areas in the off-season.

Team Strengths:

- Tom Brady (Coming off of major knee surgery just one season ago, Brady passed for 4,398 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has been one of the best quarterbacks of this decade and there is no reason to believe that won’t continue in 2010)
- Bill Belichick (Ever since Bill Belichick spurned the New York Jets and took over as the head man in New England, the Patriots have been one of the best team’s in all of football. That is no coincidence. He may not be the most popular guy, but he is a difference maker as a head coach)
- Stephen Gostkowski (As good as New England has been over the past decade, they have some positions of need. Kicker is not one of them. Stephen Gostkowski is young, accurate and has a big leg. The Patriots are set at place kicker for years to come)

Team Needs:

1. Rush Linebacker - New England had just 31 sacks last season, a number they desperately need to improve on in 2010. They could use a rush linebacker for their 3-4 defense and this could very well be their top priority. Tully Banta-Cain had 10 sacks in 2009, but beyond that no one else had more than five. University of Michigan standout OLB Brandon Graham seems to be a perfect fit for the 3-4 and many 2010 NFL Draft experts have him as the team’s selection with the 22nd pick in the draft.

2. Defensive End - Last season the Patriots traded Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders for a 2011 first round draft pick. While this appears to be a good move for the future of the team, it has left them very thin at defensive end. This is another position they will very likely look to shore up in this year’s draft. If they go with a linebacker in the first round, look for the team to address defensive end with one of their three second round picks

3. Tight End - With Ben Watson heading to the Cleveland Browns as a free agent the Patriots are very thin at tight end. Especially when you consider they also cut Chris Baker this offseason. Even with Watson and Baker it wasn’t exactly a position of strength for the team in 2009. They combined for 43 receptions last season and neither player was a consistent option for Tom Brady. This is definitely an area New England will look to address this off-season. Quality tight ends are pretty thin in free agency, making this is another area the team could look to address with one of their three second round picks.

New York Jets

There were a lot of changes for the New York Jets in 2009. They brought in new head coach Rex Ryan. They made a bold move trading up in the first round to draft franchise quarterback Marc Sanchez and then during the season they traded for former Pro-Bowl wider receiver Braylon Edwards. What did all these changes amount to? A surprise trip to the AFC Championship game and a lot to look forward to moving forward. They were led by the leagues top defense and a solid running game and with some more fine tuning they could be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC for years to come.

Team Strengths:

- Defense (The Jets finished the season with the No. 1 overall defense and is the main reason this team made it to the AFC Championship game. Rex Ryan did a great job in one short year)
- Offensive Line (Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca, Brandon Moore, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody make up one of the best o-lines in all of football. Just ask the Fantasy Football Librarian as she pointed it out in 2008)
- Cornerback (Darrelle Revis is arguably the the best cornerback in all of football and now they have added another very good cover corner in Antonio Cromartie. Nice move for an already good defense)

Team Needs:

1. Rush Linebacker - When you play in the AFC it is extremely important to put pressure on the quarterback. You can’t give guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Phillip Rivers too much time to exploit your secondary. This is what happened to the Jets in the AFC Championship, they continued to blitz Manning leaving there secondary exposed. They need to find a way to put pressure on the quarterback without blitzing multiple players. Look for the Jets to address this need within the first two rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft.

2. Defensive End - Even the team that finished No. 1 in overall defense could use some fine tuning, as they are a little bit old at defensive end. Shaun Ellis is 33-years old, coming off a knee injury and he is entering the final year of his contract. Marques Douglas is also 33-years old and is a free agent. Look for New York to add some youth to this position in the draft, possibly even in the first round. They could also look to add some depth in free agency depending on the injury status of Ellis.

3. Backup Quarterback - The Jets definitely have found their quarterback of the future in Marc Sanchez. He is not flashy and doesn’t put up huge numbers, but he is an excellent leader and fits well in the Jets ball control offense. They do need to find a capable backup for Sanchez though. If something were to happen to Sanchez there would be a huge drop off to Kellen Clemens, who didn’t perform well when filling in for Sanchez in a couple of games last season. It seems very likely they will add a veteran quarterback to their roster before training camp opens.
{pagebreak}

Miami Dolphins

After going from worst to first in 2008 the Miami Dolphins took a step back last season finishing the year with a 7-9 record and a third place finish in the AFC East. The season was not a complete loss though. They were able to start developing their quarterback of the future in Chad Henne and veteran running back Ricky Williams appeared to have found the fountain of the youth as he filled in nicely after Ronnie Brown suffered a season ending foot injury. If the Dolphins can plug a few holes in free agency and the NFL Draft they have a chance to contend in the AFC East and make a push for a playoff birth.

Team Strengths:

- Running Back (If the can both stay healthy Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams make one of the best one-two punches at running back in all of football. The running game is the key to the Dolphins success)
- Offensive Line (They are not very deep at the position, which is a concern, but left tackle Jake Long anchors a very solid starting five on the o-line. They will need to continue to play well in order to help the running game and protect Chad Henne)
- Chad Henne (His numbers weren’t exactly mind blowing. He passed for 2,878 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 14 games played last year; however, he showed good poise and leadership. Henne should solidify the quarterback position in Miami for the next several years)

Team Needs:

1. Rush Linebacker - They released Joey Porter and with questions surrounding the return of Jason Taylor, who will be 36-years old this season, the Dolphins will be on the prowl for an OLB/DE who can get to the quarterback. It seems unlikely they will find one in free agency, so they will likely be forced to look for one in the draft. There doesn’t appear to be a standout player they will take with the No.12 overall pick, so look for the Dolphins to target this position in the second or third round.

2. Wide Receiver - Miami surprised many of us in the 2007 draft when they took Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the first round. It appeared as if they were going to take quarterback Brady Quinn, but instead they took the speedy wide out from Ohio State. It hasn’t exactly paid off. He has been solid in the return game, but has not put up the numbers at wide receiver you would expect from such a high draft pick. The Dolphins really need a No. 1 wide receiver to pair up with quarterback Chad Henne. There will be some good value at the position in the second round of the draft, but if they don’t land one in the draft they really need Ginn, Davone Bess, Greg Camarillo or Brian Hartline to have a breakout year and solidify the No. 1 wide receiver spot.

3. Nose Tackle - With 34-year old Jason Ferguson playing with an expiring contract and hinting at possible retirement Miami will be looking for a nose tackle. Paul Soliai has been a serviceable backup, but he doesn’t appear to have the talent to be a legitimate starting NFL nose tackle. They could look for a veteran free agent or try and find one in the draft somewhere between rounds two and four.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills finished last season with a 6-10 record, which isn’t bad when you consider their lack of talent on both sides of the ball. They banked on Trent Edwards at quarterback and that failed miserably. They took a chance on flamboyant wide receiver Terrell Owens and that didn’t pay dividends. This is a team that heading into this off-season has very few strengths and too many needs to fit into this single article. New head coach Chan Gailey will have his hands full trying to resurrect this once proud organization.

Team Strengths:

- Fred Jackson (In his fourth season the former un-drafted free agent was one of the lone bright spots and biggest surprises for the Bills last season. He had 237 carries for 1,062 yards with two touchdowns, while adding 46 receptions for 371 yards with two more touchdowns and appears to be the future at running back in Buffalo)
- Paul Posluszny (He recorded 110+ total tackles for the second straight season. Heading into his fourth NFL season he is the leader of this defense and a player Chan Gailey will likely look to build his defense around)
- Shawn Nelson (Yes, this it is a bit of a stretch to call a second year tight end who had 17 catches for 156 yards with one touchdown a strength; however, Nelson did show some potential and like I said there wasn’t a lot for Buffalo to be excited about in 2009)

Team Needs:

1. Quarterback - The Bills are in dire need of a franchise quarterback. There was a lot of hype surrounding Trent Edwards heading into last season, and that’s all it turned out to be. With the addition of Terrell Owens at wide receiver he was supposed to have his breakout year. That never happened. He couldn’t stay healthy and when he was healthy he didn’t do much to help the team win. He was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, who didn’t fare much better. Buffalo would love to land either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen with the No.9 overall pick, but that it is unlikely either of them will fall that far. Short of trading up in the first round they will likely be forced to take a different route. Either a second round pick on a Colt McCoy type of player or a veteran free agent as a one year stop gap seems likely.

2. Left Tackle - Demetrius Bell didn’t exactly take advantage of his opportunity to start at left tackle in 2009 before a right knee injury sidelined him after eight games. No matter who is under center for Buffalo in 2010 they need to find someone to protect his blind side. The draft is pretty deep at left tackle and with it being unlikely they can secure one of the top quarterbacks in the first round look for the Bills to draft one of the top remaining tackles with the ninth pick in the draft.

3. Nose Tackle - It appears the team will be transitioning to a 3-4 defense under new head coach Chan Gailey. If they are going to be successful they are going to have to fill several holes, most notably a dominant nose tackle that can help stop the run. With dominant nose tackles being few and far between in free agency look for Buffalo to address this need in the draft, possibly as early as the second round.

NFC Needs By Division:  NFC West  |  NFC North |  NFC South  |  NFC East

AFC Needs By Division:  AFC West  |  AFC North |  AFC South |  AFC East

Feel we missed something with regards to one of the team’s above, let us know by heading to the Bruno Boys Forum.

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

AFC WEST

The AFC West is a division in turmoil. Don’t agree? Well, just look at the four teams that call the division home. The Kansas City Chiefs handed a hefty contract to Matt Cassel prior to the 2009 season only to see their QB of the future throw for just 2,924 yards with 16 TDs matched by 16 INTs. The Oakland Raiders’ 2009 season was memorable for two reasons: the complete ineptitude of JaMarcus Russell at the QB position and the right hook of Tom Cable. Then, there was the Denver Broncos’ collapse; perhaps an indication that Josh McDaniels’ “my way or the highway” coaching philosophy won’t lift Denver a mile high. Even the San Diego Chargers, who walked away with the division crown thanks to a 13-3 record, have their issues, having to replace one of the game’s greatest RBs in the backfield. Yes, the AFC West isn’t filled with powerhouses at the moment, but some savvy off-season moves could possibly change all that.

San Diego Chargers

A 13-3 record? A trip to the playoffs? A good season, right? Not, if you’re the San Diego Chargers, who once again couldn’t come up when it counted most, dropping their Divisional Round match-up with the New York Jets 17 to 14. Not only did that game bring an end to the Chargers’ season, but it also marked the end of LaDainian Tomlinson’s career with the Bolts, though his reign as the face of the franchise ended at least two years ago. Since then, this team has been Philip Rivers’ squad with the QB throwing for over 4,000 yards and at least 28 TDs in each of the past two seasons. Rivers has been a steady presence under center for San Diego and will be again in 2010, but the Chargers are going to need to get him some help if they want to end the post-season disappointment.

Team Strengths:

- Philip Rivers (I mentioned it above, but I’ll mention it again. This is Rivers’ team, which is not a surprise considering he’s thrown for 8,263 yards, 62 TDs, and only 20 INTs over the last two years)
- Sure Hands on the Inside and Out (Antonio Gates has been a sure-fire target for Rivers throughout his career, utilizing his basketball skills to get position on linebackers over the middle of the field on a weekly basis. Well, now, Rivers can also look on the outside if teams decide to use safety help on Gates thanks to the continued emergence of Vincent Jackson, who posted his second 1,000-yard season in a row)
- Shaun Phillips (The linebacker may not have had a season of double digit sacks since 2006, but he does have at least 7 sacks in every season since and added seven forced fumbles in 2009)

Team Needs:

1. The Heir Apparent to LT - Let’s be perfectly clear here, the chances that the San Diego Chargers land a RB of LT’s caliber are slim to none. It’s none too often, you’re able to line a back up in your backfield and know he’s going to get over 1,000 yards rushing (something LT did every year prior to 2009) and rack up double digit scores (something LT did even up through last year) each and every season. But, that’s the beauty of it. The Chargers don’t need that back. What they do need is a back that’s good enough to keep defenses honest, allowing Philip Rivers and the aerial attack the ability to continue to do their thing.

2. A Sub for Sproles - The Chargers’ renovation of the running backs on their roster may also end with Darren Sproles landing somewhere else for 2010. The Sproles’ situation won’t much impact the team’s ground game, as Sproles is more a specialist in that area, primarily used for third down situations. But, his departure will hurt the team’s return game. Out of 89 returns of both the kickoff and punt variety last season, Sporles fielded 80. If he walks, the team definitely needs to bring in another body that can pick up the slack.

3. Defensive Playmakers - The return of Shawne Merriman was supposed to propel the Chargers to elite status once more on the defensive side of things. Instead, the team finished the season ranked just 13th in the NFL in Sacks (35), 20th in INTs (14), and 16th in Fumble Recoveries (10). Those are all areas the Chargers will need to improve on if they want to go deeper in the playoffs in 2010.

Denver Broncos

A 6-0 start to the 2009 season that included wins over the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and San Diego Chargers, all teams that played in the post-season in 2009, had many proclaiming the Broncos among the elite teams in the NFL prior to their Week 7 bye. The off-week though proved detrimental, as Denver lost its momentum, leading to a 2-8 finish to the season that left them watching the NFL playoffs from the comfort of their homes. So, how do the Broncos ensure they play solid football for all 16 weeks of the season in 2010? Part of the answer lies in addressing the team’s needs below.

Team Strengths:

- A Good Ground Game (The Broncos may not have had a 1,000-yard rusher in their backfield last season, but with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter combining for 1,589 rushing yards, they didn’t need one. This team utilizes the RBBC perfectly)
- DE Elvis Dumervil (Dumervil’s 17 sacks in 2009 were more than the Jacksonville Jaguars had as a whole)
- Kyle Orton (His numbers may not have matched what Jay Cutler did as a member of the Broncos, but his passer rating was 10 points higher in 2009 than the Cutler’s)

Team Needs:

1. Pass Catchers - It’s no secret that Brandon Marshall has wanted out of Denver for sometime now, and it appears the restricted free agent will get his wish this off-season. Joining Marshall on the bus out of Denver will be tight end, Tony Scheffler, another restricted free agent, who was disappointed with how McDaniels used him last season. The two pass catchers accounted for more than half of the Broncos’ receiving scores in 2009 and 40%of the team’s receiving yardage. No doubt about it the Broncos’ top priority this off-season should be filling the void created by their departures.

2. A Run Stopper - The Denver Broncos made great strides defensively thanks to new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s game plan. In fact, the team allowed nearly eight points less per contest in 2009 than they did in 2008, and they jumped from 28th in the league in total yards allowed per game to 7th. That improvement, though, was largely a result of improved play from the secondary, as the Broncos still struggled up front to stop the run, allowing 128.7 rushing yards per game. To truly become an elite defensive unit, the Broncos will need to remedy their run-stopping problems.

3. Improved Coach-Player Relations - I appreciate Josh McDaniels wanting to place his stamp on his team, but part of being an NFL coach is learning how to manage personalities and McDaniels has yet to master that art. Filling a roster with “your” guys is great and all, but not when they’re far less talented than the players you run out of town.
{pagebreak}

Oakland Raiders

The sheer fact that the Oakland Raiders did not finish in the cellar in the AFC West is a strong indicator of the troubles the division is currently enduring. I mean, this was a team that posted just 12.3 points per game on the year, while allowing 23.7 points per game to their opponents. No matter how you spin it, that’s just bad. The Raiders will look to close the gap between those two numbers in 2010, but to do so, a lot of work needs to be done.

Team Strengths:

- Michael Bush (When discussing the Oakland Raiders’ ground game, all anyone wants to focus on is Darren McFadden, but it’s Bush that’s the better runner between the tackles. With the team letting Justin Fargas go, Bush is in store for an expanded role in 2010, and considering his career 4.6 yard per carry average, that’s a good thing)
- Sebastian Janikowski (It’s ridiculous to think of the fantasy value Janikowski would hold on a team with any semblance of an offense. Now signed to a 4-year $16 million deal with Oakland, Janikowski’s fantasy value appears to be limited for quite some time, but his value to the Raiders remains. Last season, the kicker connected on 6-of-8 field goals from 50+)
- Nnamdi Asomugha (There’s a reason the corner back had just one interception in 2009. Teams simply don’t throw the ball his direction. He’s that good!)

Team Needs:

1. A Capable QB - Completing less than 50% of his throws in 2009 for just 1,287 yards, 3 TDs, and 11 INTs in 12 games last year, JaMarcus Russell is getting ever closer to Ryan Leaf status, and that my friends is not a good thing. The Raiders, though, think they may have something in Bruce Gradkowski, who averaged 211.0 passing yards in four starts last year, while throwing 6 TDs and just one interception. However, the team needs to be a bit weary about going forward with Gradkowski. Sure, he was leaps and bounds better than Russell, but that’s like beating a deaf guy in Name That Tune. If the Raiders were smart, they’d bring in one more arm to compete for the starting QB job.

2. D-Line Help - You thought the Broncos needed a run stopper in the worst way, well Oakland needs one even more. In 2009, the Raiders not only gave up 155.5 rushing yards per contest, but they also allowed 24 rushing TDs, tied with the St. Louis Rams for worst in the league. Opposing teams won’t ever have to throw Asomugha’s way if they can simply get first downs on the ground time after time.

3. A Solid Handed Receiver - When the Raiders’ took Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree in the 2009 NFL Draft, the critics let Al Davis have it. Speed means nothing if you can’t haul in the ball, a point made very evident in Heyward-Bey’s nine catch season. The Raiders’ wide receiver problems don’t end, though, with Heyward-Bey. No wide out in silver and black caught more than 35 passes last season. Sure, much of that had to do with Russell’s inability to throw anything close to a pass, but some of the blame has to fall on the wide receiver corps as well. The Raiders need to find that sure handed possession receiver if they’re going to keep drives going in 2010.

Kansas City Chiefs

The good news for the Chiefs is that they doubled their wins from 2008 to 2009. The bad news is that the jump was from just two victories to four, not quite what they expected after bringing in Cassel and new head offensive-minded head coach, Todd Haley, previously offensive coordinator to the Arizona Cardinals during their Super Bowl run. Coming in at 25th in total offense and 30th in total defense, it’s evident that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done in KC.

Team Strengths:

- Running Attack (Given an opportunity to showcase his skills, following Larry Johnson’s release due to defamatory remarks made on Twitter, Jamaal Charles was one of the biggest surprises of the 2009 season. On just 190 carries, Charles broke the 1,000-yard mark by averaging 5.9 yards per carry on the season. If Charles wasn’t enough, the team added Thomas Jones via free agency. Jones may indeed be aging, but the back has accounted for five straight 1,000-yard seasons)
- Brandon Flowers (The second year cornerback tallied five interceptions in 2009, and his continued development should indeed help a struggling secondary, a unit that ranked 22nd in pass defense in 2009)
- Draft Spot (Not all of the Chiefs’ problems can be addressed this off-season. There are just too many. However, the team can take a step in bettering themselves for the future by striking gold with their 5th overall selection in this year’s draft)

Team Needs:

1. Solve the Identity Crisis - Coming from the Arizona Cardinals, where he had the likes of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin to work with, it is no surprise that Haley favored the pass during his first season with the Chiefs, throwing the ball (536 attempts) nearly 100 times more than running it (438 attempts). However, with Charles and Jones set to man the backfield, the Chiefs need to become a smash mouth type team, wearing opposing defenses down with their ground game.

2. Run Stopper - It’s a common theme here in the AFC West, but like their division rivals, the Broncos and Raiders, the Chiefs are also in need of a run stopper. Finishing the season as the second worst defense at stopping the run, the Chiefs allowed 156.5 yards per game. Just bringing in DT Shaun Smith, who likely won’t even start, is not going to fix the issue.

3. O-Line Help - As already noted, Cassel’s debut season with the Chiefs wasn’t quite what the front office imagined when inking the QB to a big deal prior to 2009. The blame, though, can’t all be laid at Cassel’s feet. After all, it’s hard to complete passes from your back, a place Cassel was often as the Chiefs allowed the 6th most sacks in 2009, yielding 45 on the year.

NFC Needs By Division:  NFC West  |  NFC North |  NFC South  |  NFC East

AFC Needs By Division:  AFC West  |  AFC North |  AFC South |  AFC East

Feel we missed something with regards to one of the team’s above, let us know by heading to the Bruno Boys Forum.

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

When taking a look at the 2010 Free Agent Running Backs you will notice a big difference between Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) and the Restricted Free Agents (RFA). All of the mentioned players have exceeded the average life span of a RB; however, some of them are reaching the end of the road. The most desirable UFA running backs are veterans that have had very successful careers to date, but seem to have lost a step or two, while the top RFA options are only three to five years into their careers but have enjoyed some sort of success thus far.

::2010 Age is as of September 1, 2010::

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

LaDainian Tomlinson | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.4

Tomlinson heads the list of 2010 unrestricted free agent running backs and he didn’t make the list because his contract expired. The San Diego Chargers released Tomlinson on February 22 after an incredible nine-year run with the franchise. With Tomlinson due to receive a $2 million dollar roster bonus in March, San Diego management decided it was time to close the book on arguably the greatest running back of all-time. They also said goodbye to a player his fans had come to know as LT. Heading in to the 2009 season, Tomlinson rushed for at least 1,100 yards and scored double-digit touchdowns in each of his first eight seasons in the league. Unfortunatey things began to unravel for Tomlinson in his ninth season with the Chargers. The wear and tear on his body caught up with Tomlinson and it was noticeable on the field. LT averaged a career low 3.3 yards per carry and only three out of 223 rushing attempts were over 20 yards.

Many teams are looking for veteran leadership at the running back position and Tomlinson has already attracted interest from some appealing suitors. Tomlinson has expressed an interest in signing with a team that has a serious shot at winning the Super Bowl. At this stage in his career, we wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what he does. Going this route will almost certainly rule out the likelihood of being an every down back, however Tomlinson has accomplished just about every goal an NFL running back can achieve outside of winning the Lombardi Trophy. That said, Tomlinson met with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and it is rumored that the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in the man who scored 153 touchdowns in 141 career games.

Brian Westbrook | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.3

In his eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, the electrifying Westbrook amassed 5,995 rushing yards, 3,790 receiving yards and scored 66 touchdowns. The former All-Pro Westbrook was a game-changer from almost anywhere on the field. In 2007, he accounted for an astonishing 36.7% of the Eagles’ total offense, led the league with 2,104 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns. Multiple concussions suffered midway through the season limited Westbrook’s playing time to eight games in 2009 and diminished his role on the offense. His combined rushing and receiving yards totaled 455 and he scored two touchdowns. Westbrook was also plagued by a problematic left knee and right ankle that made him a regular on the weekly injury report. The 30-year old Westbrook was due to earn a base salary of $7.25 million this year before the Eagles released him.

While it’s highly doubtful that Westbrook will ever be a full-time starter again – an assumption that he seems to accept – Westbrook says he still wants to play football. Unfortunately, whether we’re talking league play or fantasy football, there isn’t a bigger risk in the game than Brian Westbrook. Concussions are a hot-button issue in the NFL and owners will be understandably nervous about signing him. It’s also came out that Westbrook’s left knee swelled up in recent years whenever he practiced on artificial surfaces – which means that he would likely have to sign with a team that plays and practices on grass in order for the knee to hold up.

We don’t expect that Westbrook will sign with a team during initial wave of free agency. Any team interested in him will proceed with caution given the complexity of his medical situation. If and it’s a huge “if” Westbrook is cleared medically, we think his future and greatest value in league or fantasy play could come as a change-of-pace or third-down back. Retirement isn’t out of the question either.

Larry Johnson | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 30.10

Following his acrimonious parting with the Kansas City Chiefs midway through the 2009 season, Johnson was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals where he played seven games as a backup to Cedric Benson. Johnson touched the ball a total of 178 times for 581 yards and no touchdowns during his split season with the Chiefs and Bengals. Cincinnati opted not to re-sign Johnson when his contract expired – preferring to stake their running game on the fresher legs of Benson and up-and-comer Bernard Scott. Aside from concerns about whether Johnson has anything left in his tank after the wear-and-tear of the heavy workload earlier in his career, the 30-year old running back is a series of question marks when it comes to issues of character, his ability to get along with coaching, and possibly his willingness to accept a diminished or part-time role on a prospective team. The controversial Johnson is drawing limited interest around the league. He met this week with the Washington Redskins who are reportedly interested in bringing him onboard as a complement to Clinton Portis. Johnson also has plans to meet with the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. While we think that 1,000-yard seasons and fantasy relevance are behind Johnson, we concede that if he lands in the right situation and gets a grip on the attitude and behavior problems that have negatively impacted his career, Johnson could have a minor comeback of sorts.

Willie Parker | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 29.10

Parker is a perfect example of just how difficult it is for an NFL running back to be productive for a long period of time. From 2005-2007, Parker rushed the football 913 times for 4,012 yards and scored 19 touchdowns while helping the Steelers win a Super Bowl in 2005. Following a three-year stretch that saw Parker become one of the league’s best running backs, things have gone downhill for him. In 2008 Parker averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and the 2009 season wasn’t much better. A turf toe injury forced Parker to miss Weeks 4-5 and by the time he returned in Week 6 Parker had lost his job to rookie Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall never looked back and Parker could muster only 46 carries over the Steelers final 10 games. The Steelers haven’t ruled out negotiating a contract with Parker, however the seven-year veteran feels he still has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL and is exploring free agency. Parker has already received interest from multiple teams and should have no problem landing a new contract, though his days as an every down back appear to be behind him. 

Jamal Lewis | Free Agent | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.1

The Browns decided it was time to release their unproductive running back and formally cut ties with Lewis on February 17. Before being placed on injured reserve with post-concussion symptoms, Lewis averaged a career low 3.5 yards per carry and for the first time in nine seasons failed to find pay dirt. Lewis will be 31-years old at the start of the 2010 season and still hasn’t made a decision about his future. The competitive side of him wants to keep on playing; however, eight seasons of 230 carries or more has Lewis’ body questioning a return. Regardless of his decision, we can’t see Lewis making much of an impact and don’t expect him to attract much interest from NFL teams.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Leon Washington | New York Jets | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 28.1

Before suffering a devastating season-ending broken right leg in Week 7 of the 2009 season, Washington was the change of pace guy to Thomas Jones. While an injury is always bad news for a player, Washington’s came during a contract year and could impact his hopes of a long-term contract and a significant bump in salary. A versatile tailback, Washington has tremendous speed and is the ideal complement to a more bruising power running back. He also offers added value as a Pro Bowl caliber return man. Washington is a restricted free agent in the new rules world of 2010 NFL free agency, and received a somewhat surprising second-round tender from the Jets. The second-round tender is a one-year deal worth $1.759 million and gives the Jets the right of first refusal. Teams in need of a proven, all-purpose back with a career 4.8 yards per carry average and solid pass catching skills might consider Washington worth a second round pick as compensation should the Jets decide not to match an offer. That said, Washington is well-liked by the Jets organization and the relatively low-tender could be their attempt to gain the upper hand in future contract negotiations. With Jones out of the picture, we expect Washington to remain a Jet in 2010. He and Shonn Greene should team up to give the Jets running game a dynamic combination of speed and power.

Pierre Thomas | New Orleans Saints | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 25.9

Outside of missing two games due to injury, Thomas spent the majority of the 2009 season sharing the workload with running backs Mike Bell and Reggie Bush. Thomas didn’t produce to the level the New Orleans coaching staff envisioned; however, he still put together 1,095 total yards and eight touchdowns. The fourth-year running back out of Illinois is a dynamic threat out of the backfield and with more experience he should be able to take on a bigger role wherever he lands. New Orleans tendered a second-round pick as compensation on Thomas, which seems low considering his upside, and we wouldn’t be surprised if teams around the NFL show interest in him. Now whether New Orleans will let him walk (we don’t see this happening) is another story.
{pagebreak}

LenDale White | Tennessee Titans | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 25.9

In 2008, no running back found the end zone at the rate White did. He scored a touchdown every 13.67 touches (15 TDs in 205 touches) and did an excellent job of finishing off drives started by Chris Johnson. In 2009, White stopped drinking tequila, entered training camp 30 pounds lighter and was expected to have a similar role in a run first Tennessee offense. This never materialized and White played second fiddle to Johnson all season long. He scored only two touchdowns on 67 touches and touched the ball just four times over the final six games of the 2009 season. Tennessee slapped a second-round pick as tender on White, however the fifth-year running back is adamant that he wants the Titans to play him or trade him. It should be interesting to see how things shake for White; however, we aren’t convinced that a team would lose a second round pick on a guy that has averaged just 3.7 yards per carry throughout his career and doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be an every down back.

Mike Bell | New Orleans Saints | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.6

In 2009, Bell did an excellent job of filling in for the injured Pierre Thomas and his production led to consistent playing time throughout the season. His 654 yards and five touchdowns were enough for the Saints to tender a cash amount for any team interestd in Bell’s services. Teams in need of a solid backup running back have already contacted Bell’s agent and we wouldn’t be surprised if he enters the 2010 season wearing a uniform other than the black and gold.

Ronnie Brown | Miami Dolphins | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 28.9

When he is healthy, Brown delivers instant offense and is considered one of the top running backs in the NFL. Over his last 25 games, he scored 18 touchdowns and compiled 1,916 yards from scrimmage. The only problem is Brown can’t stay on the field. He has missed 16 games since the start of the 2007 season, forcing Miami to monitor his workload and fans to wonder if he is worth the investment. However, despite Brown suffering season ending injuries in two of the last three years, the Miami Dolphins brass believe he is their franchise running back and committed to him in 2010. Miami placed a first-round tender on Brown that all but guarantees he’ll return to South Beach for his sixth season.

Jerome Harrison | Cleveland Browns | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.8

Harrison might not have been the most consistent running back in the NFL; however, over the final three weeks of the 2009 season he was certainly the best. After carrying the football just 88 times during the Browns first 13 games, head coach Eric Mangini decided to make Harrison his feature back from Weeks 15-17 and the shifty runner responded with 561 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His 106 carries during that span proved to management that he can handle a full workload and Harrison is expected to enter 2010 as the No.1 running back in Cleveland. If a team were to sign Harrison, it would cost them a second-round pick as compensation and that is a steep price to pay for a running back with such a small sample size.

Cadillac Williams | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 28.6

The wheels certainly didn’t fall off the Cadillac in 2009. For the first time in his career, Williams played a full season and showed the grit and determination of a running back who wanted to prove his doubters wrong.. Despite sharing touches with Derrick Ward, Caddy was Tampa Bay’s most effective running back and took control of the starting job over the last six weeks of the season. He finished the season with 1,040 total yards, seven touchdowns and 29 receptions. Entering 2010, the Buccaneers believe Caddy is the right man for the job and they assigned a first-round pick as compensation. While Caddy might have resurrected his career you can’t expect any team to give up a first-round selection on a running back that has suffered a torn patellar tendon in both knees and will be 28 at the beginning of the season.

Jason Snelling | Atlanta Falcons | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 26.9

Filling in for an injured Michael Turner, Snelling ran admirably for the Falcons and put together a solid season. He finished the season with 466 rushing yards, 238 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His versatility out of the backfield was enough for Atlanta to assign a second-round pick as tender for any team looking to target the restricted free agent.  With this being the case, Snelling isn’t expected to attract much interest on the open market and is likely to again backup Turner in Atlanta.

ALREADY SIGNED FREE AGENTS

Thomas Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 32.2

After scoring 29 touchdowns over the last two seasons, the New York Jets decided they didn’t want to pony up a $3 million roster bonus to keep the aging running back and decided to cut ties with Jones. Just eight days after being released by New York, Jones signed a two-year deal worth $5 million with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones is expected to see around 10-15 touches per game and should see plenty of touches around the end zone.

Chester Taylor | Chicago Bears | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 31.1

Just one year into Taylor’s four-year, $14.1 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings the team landed Adrian Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft and that pushed Taylor to backup duty. Running behind one of the leagues best, Taylor spent the past three seasons playing a big role as a pass-catching option and averaged around 10 touches per game. Convinced he can contribute on a more regular basis, Taylor took advantage of being an unrestricted free agent and immediately shopped the open market. Within hours of the start of free agency the Chicago Bears inked Taylor to a four-year, $12.5 million contract. Matt Forte will be the primary ball carries in Chicago; however, Taylor should see a slight increase in his workload and be a pivotal part of an offense on the rise.

Kevin Faulk | New England Patriots | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 34.4

He doesn’t post the statistics that attract the casual NFL fan but for over a decade Faulk has been a mainstay in New England. Being a unrestricted free agent, there was talk that Faulk would not resign with the Patriots; however, that came to an end on March 10 when the team signed their longest tenured player to a one-year deal. Faulk will once again be used on passing downs and around the end zone in an offense that loves to share the wealth at the running back position.

2010 Free Agent Breakdown:  QB  |  RB  |  WR |  TE |  K

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

Consisting of 10 members of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Staff, along with guest columnist’s from Fighting Chance Fantasy and The IDP Guru, our first of many Fantasy Football 2010 Mock Draft was a 16-round affair based on a standard scoring league (Pass TDs - 4 points, All Other TDs - 6 points, 25 Yards Passing - 1 point, 10 Yards Rushing/Receiving - 1 point). Outside of having to field a starting line-up occupied by 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, and 1 D, owners were free to compile their rosters any way in which they pleased.

All commentary after each pick is provided by the Bruno Boys staff member who made that pick. The draft started on February 15, 2010 and we will report round-by-round updates as they are available. Make sure to check back for more commentary on our Fantasy Football 2010 Mock Draft.

FEBRUARY MOCK DRAFT ROUND 11 RESULTS

11.01: Bruno Boys Matt - Tashard Choice (Dal) — This pick is a speculative one. It is extremely unlikely that Barber, Jones, and Choice are all back in Dallas next season, despite what team officials say. Dallas has other needs and quite a few teams would be interested in Choice. If he gets dealt, as I think he will, this pick could pay huge dividends. Being a RB4, I can afford to take that risk here.

11.02: Bruno Boys Larry - Heath Miller (Pit) — After missing out on the elite tight ends earlier in this draft, I was able to stock up on some other positions and still land a top-ten fantasy tight end from 2009. Heath Miller was a great outlet for Ben Roethlisberger as they connected for 76 receptions last season. Miller fell just shy of 800 yards receiving and had six touchdowns, and I am very happy to land a solid TE1 in the 11th round.

11.03: Bruno Boys Whooley - Willis McGahee (Bal) — I’m no fool. I know that the Ravens’ backfield is now Ray Rice’s domain, but Willis McGahee is still part of the picture, especially when they get down near the goal-line. His 12 TDs in 2009 are enough to warrant a late round pick in any fantasy draft in 2010.

11.04: Bruno Boys Hallam - Bernard Berrian (Min) - I am banking that Brett Favre will be back in 2010, and at this point, to get a receiver on one of the better offenses from 2009 isn’t bad. Berrian had a pretty consistent season of just a line of average games. If Berrian can get 6 or 7 touchdowns in 2010, he will be a good option as my fourth receiver.

11.05: Bruno Boys Jacob - Dez Bryant (FA) — In dire need of a WR4, I’ll take a shot on the talented WR from Oklahoma State. As of today, it looks like Bryant will fall to the Broncos at #11, where they will immediately plug him into the WR2 role behind Eddie Royal. Brandon Marshall is all but gone, and while Eddie Royal (who was a great pick by Bruno Boys Matt) is a great underneath guy, Bryant is talented enough to step into Marshall’s role as the man who stretches the field and thrive from Day One.

11.06: Bruno Boys Jimbo - David Garrard (Jax) — One of the more underrated QBs in fantasy football right now, it’s easy to overlook David Garrard, but he does have some impressive weapons to work with. He has an emerging star in Mike Sims-Walker, and don’t forget who he frequently dumps the ball off to in the backfield, Maurice Jones-Drew, who gains a lot of his yards/touchdowns by catching dump-off passes and screen passes. I’ll take him as my backup QB this late in the draft.

11.07: Bruno Boys Allie - Donald Brown (Ind) — Like many fantasy football owners, I waited for Brown to eventually take the starting job from Addai last season, and we know how that turned out. Brown struggled to stay healthy, while Addai got the touches and TDs. Brown possesses the speed and athleticism to be a big play threat and hopefully he’ll use the off-season to improve his understanding of the offense and develop his skills. Although Addai is the presumptive starter, the Colts drafted Brown as their back of the future, and I expect we’ll see more of him in his second season. As my No. 5 RB, Brown adds depth to my bench and is a potential sleeper in the 11th round. Fingers crossed! 

11.08: Bruno Boys Cory - San Francisco 49ers D/ST (SF) — With my starters set aside from my kicker, I had the ability to go in a lot of different directions with this pick. Ultimately, I decided to select the San Francisco 49ers defense because I felt I would be able to get what I wanted at wide receiver and running back later. Having the D/STs from the Jets and 49ers now gives me two of the top five defenses from 2009, which only strengthens my team and gives me some trade potential as well.

11.09: Bruno Boys Kyle - Green Bay Packers D/ST (GB) — I’m somewhat surprised that the Packers weren’t among the earlier defense picks considering they were the No. 6 D/ST in scoring last season. They play in a division that is not filled with powerhouse offenses, and that will be especially true if Brett Favre doesn’t return to Minnesota. The Pack gave up an average of 18.6 points per game last season, but if you take away the two games they played against the Vikings, they only allowed 16.4.

11.10: Bruno Boys IDP Guru - Baltimore Ravens D/ST (Bal) — I’m jumping on the Team Defense bandwagon here. The Ravens finished 3rd best in overall yardage allowed and seem to consistently be one of the top defenses in the league from year-to-year.

11.11: Bruno Boys Greg - Mohamed Massaquoi (Cle) — I know Cavigs is going back to back wide receiver here, so I am going to grab one before he gets a chance. I’m not a fan of drafting anyone from Cleveland, but Massaquoi showed flashes of being a number one wideout in 2009. If he can catch the football (he had a lot of drops), he will be a solid guy for me here. Plus with too many other holes, it is doubtful the Browns get a wide receiver who will steal a ton of looks in 2010.

11.12: Bruno Boys Cavigs - Donnie Avery (StL) — In Avery I am getting a young and talented wide receiver that has not even begun to scratch the surface of his potential. His 47 receptions and 589 receiving yards were far from ideal however, Avery had five receiving touchdowns in an offense that threw 12 passing TDs in 16 games. With the Rams expected to address their quarterback issues through the draft or by trade it should only help Avery mature as a player. This pick comes with some risk, as St. Louis has many holes on offense, but I feel the potential reward outweighed that risk.

Round 11 Commentary from Bruno Boys Whooley: As we witnessed earlier in this draft, the initial run on defenses occurred in Round 8 with three teams nabbing their units (the Jets, Steelers, and Eagles) that go-round. Well, Round 11 brings us our second run on the defensive units as the Niners, Packers, and Ravens all come off the board (Interestingly enough, Bruno Boys Cory was involved in each run). This, though, is why I never really like to take a defense prior to the double digit rounds.

The drop off from the three units taken in Round 8 to those taken here is minimal. Heck, the 49ers were the unit that topped all defenses in fantasy points last season. Meanwhile, the drop off in value among position players is much greater during the three-round span. I mean, LT was still around come Round 9 of this draft. Yes, he’s well past his prime and looking for work, but you have to figure his potential value is leaps and bounds ahead of the likes of Mohamed Massaquoi and Donnie Avery.

One other trend I’d like to note here has to do with our experts’ commentary. You’ll notice that while the talent has thinned, our experts have found at least one positive quality to focus on for each of their picks. If you can find a shimmer hope with regards to the depth you’re adding at this point of your fantasy draft, trust your gut and grab onto it. Give that player a roster spot. Come Round 11, there are no such things as busts, but you definitely can find a diamond in the rough.

Past Rounds RECAP:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12 |  13 | 14 |  15 |  16

 
Have an opinion on how the eleventh round played out? If so, let us know!

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

In this article, we’ll break down the possibilities that lay ahead for the Buffalo Bills. With that said, let’s get to it.

Buffalo Bills

::NFL commissioner Roger Goodell walks up to the podium at the 2010 NFL Draft and begins to speak::

With the ninth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select…

We know that all these mock draft picks are just guesses at this point; however, the Buffalo Bills are in such a dilemma as to who will be available at their pick in the first round, that it’s hard to even speculate.

If we took the time to identify the Bills problems last year it would take all day, so we’ll give you a quick view at the stone cold fact and get them out of the way. 

On offense, the Bills finished 32nd in the NFL in 3rd down percentage at a whopping 26% (yes, worse than the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders). 30th in the NFL in yards per game. 29th in the NFL in time of possession. 30th in the NFL in passing yards per game. 28th in the NFL in sacks allowed. Their defense was slightly better, but you get the picture.

With the calculated failures of Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, it seems evident that the Bills should consider targeting a quarterback to rebuild the team (a la Mark Sanchez in ’09, and Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan in ’08). While Buffalo can’t expect that a QB can change their team’s fortunes as quickly as those three quarterbacks previously did, they can hope that the effort of rebuilding and starting with a franchise QB will put them on the right track.

Terrell Owens is as good as gone, Marshawn Lynch has enough problems with the law that he can’t be trusted, and thus their best offensive threat (perhaps remains to be seen, but from a fantasy football perspective) is undrafted running back Fred Jackson. As you can see, the Bills don’t exactly have the keys to success in a fiercely competitive AFC East division.

The top two quarterbacks, Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, could undoubtedly be gone by the 9th pick in this draft. With that in mind, the Bills could be left to stretch for a skill player, or build up their trenches with a young offensive tackle to anchor their line. Six of the top nine teams could use a franchise QB (St. Louis, Washington, Seattle, Cleveland, Oakland and Buffalo), and even though most of them won’t draft one, it doesn’t leave much room for error on the Bills part. They need to take this draft seriously as they move forward from a failed regime of the past half-decade.

Let’s follow through and start looking at their potential options in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft:

Quarterback: Whether we’re talking about Bradford or Clausen, the Bills will be making the necessary move to slowly get back into contention in the AFC. I’m sure they would love their chances with either, but let’s assume that Clausen goes to the Washington Redskins at No.4 because he is seemingly a smaller risk than the aforementioned Bradford. Still, there is no guarantee he will be available at No.9 overall. If healthy, Bradford can most likely jump in from day one and provide some much needed accuracy at quarterback (Edwards completed just 56-percent, Fitzpatrick was 60-percent). Without many skill players surrounding the signal caller, Buffalo will be forced to emphasize the run game and Bradford can easily make that transition work well with his uncanny accuracy (measured as a 10 out of 10 on most scout’s ratings). 

Offensive Line: We’re envisioning Clausen and Bradford being crossed off Mel Kiper Jr’s big board prior to the Bills pick at No.9. So where do teams go when all else has failed? They look towards one of the deepest drafts in the past decade and fill in their offensive tackle position with their favorite of the bunch. With top talent like Russell Okung, Brian Bulaga, Trent Williams and Anthony Davis (stock falling) available in this years draft, Buffalo should have no trouble snagging a top tier OL if they can’t get their hands on a franchise quarterback

Sure, if the Bills selected a offensive lineman, they could hear some boos at Radio City Music Hall, but who makes those fans experts? The smart, safe choice is to rebuild from the ground up, and that involves taking a franchise left tackle. 

Wide Receiver / Running Back: It’s improbable that the Bills go after a running back in Round 1 even with so many question marks surrounding Marshawn Lynch. Fred Jackson filled in admirably as a starter in 2009 and should continue to improve if Buffalo can address their offensive line issues. Their return game in Buffalo was solid enough in 2009 so reaching for a player like C.J. Spiller (a speedy running back who can return kicks) is probably not the best usage of their pick.

Dez Bryant is definitely the No.1 rated wide out on the list, and he looks to be the type of player that could instantly help whoever is the Bills quarterback will be in 2010. Lee Evans is a solid, yet unspectacular wide receiver on one side who can go off some games and hide in others. Our feeling is that Bryant could be a missing cog in an offense that lacks a true playmaker. 

In fantasy terms, it’s probably best to stay away from the Buffalo Bills circa 2010. Fred Jackson could provide some definite RB3 potential, but with unknowns in the passing game and Marshawn Lynch still in the mix, he could see plenty of long afternoons. Lee Evans has the potential to play like a No.1 fantasy option but that key word (potential) is problematic. In reality, a WR3 ranking is probably where he goes in drafts. As for the quarterback situation, even if Buffalo lands Bradford or Clausen, in the upcoming April draft you are going to want to stay away.

Much like some of the other teams we have focused on, the offensive line must be the first solution to the problem, and all the facets of their game will improve with the right left tackle in place. Whether it is Davis, Okung, Bulaga, or Williams, the Bills should work the trenches and solidify their line.

NFC 2010 NFL Draft Coverage:  STL  |  CAR  |  SEA  |  GB |  WAS

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys do not feel like they are far away from a trip to the Super Bowl. Owner Jerry Jones likes a lot of the pieces that are in place, including head coach Wade Phillips, and will like use the off-season to refine the offense and build depth on defense. Despite it being an uncapped year, and Dallas having an unlimited amount of money to spend, don’t look for the Cowboys to be big players in the free-agent market. Look for them to try and lock up wide receiver Miles Austin to a long-term deal while addressing some of their needs through the 2010 NFL Draft.

Team Strengths:

- Tony Romo (Entering 2009, everyone thought Romo would struggle with the loss of Terrell Owens; however, he enjoyed his most efficient season to date)

- Good Core of Running Backs (Marion Barber and Felix Jones provide the Cowboys with a solid 1-2 punch that makes opponents tough to game-plan against. Barber is the bruiser while Jones makes big plays. The team also has Tashard Choice, though he could be traded during the off-season)

- Miles Austin (Came out of nowhere to put together 81 receptions, 1,320 receiving and 11 touchdowns in 2009. Will once again be the primary big play target for Romo and is still developing as an every down receiver)

- Jason Witten (The tight end only has six touchdowns over his last 32 games, but you can’t argue against his 271 receptions over the last three years)

- Solid Core of Linebackers (DeMarcus Ware is one of the best outside linebackers in all of football and has 45 sacks since 2007. Keith Brooking adds veteran leadership and still plays at a high level while Bradie James has four straight seasons of 100+ tackles.)

Team Needs:

1. More Talent at Wide Receiver - Austin is starting to realize his potential as a wide receiver but the rest of the group is not so intimidating. The Cowboys need somebody to put opposite of Austin and it isn’t likely they’ll attempt to do so through the draft. Currently the big wide receiver names floating around in free agency and in trade talks are Brandon Marshall and Terrell Owens. A reuniting of Owens and Dallas won’t happen so we’ll see if the Cowboys make a run at Marshall. If they were to attempt to find a receiver in the draft they would be wise to target more experienced guys like Golden Tate of Notre Dame.

2.  Improve the Offensive Line - The offensive line needs work. Flozell Adams no longer can cut it at left tackle as the Cowboys often had to assign him help in blocking. If the Cowboys can’t protect Romo then their season is over. We would expect the Cowboys to address this area through the draft. A guy like Oklahoma’s Trent Williams or Rutgers’ Anthony Davis would look good in a Dallas uniform.

3. Shoring up the Safety Position - Between Gerald Sensabaugh and Ken Hamlin the Cowboys are decent at safety but it remains a weak spot on an otherwise solid defense. An upgrade at this position would also take less pressure off of corners Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins. Taylor Mays from USC will likely draw a lot of attention from Jones and the Cowboys, especially after running a 4.24/4.43 (unofficial/adjusted) 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.

New York Giants

The New York Giants were known for their elite defense during their recent title run but entering 2010 that side of the ball needs a little bit of loving after they were 30th in the league in points allowed last season. Aging and injured players at linebacker and underdeveloped players at cornerback and safety have left the secondary in a bit of doldrums the past couple of seasons. Team owner John Mara has said publicly he doesn’t think the Giants need to go on a spending spree; however, he did address their issue at safety by signing Antrel Rolle to a five-year, $37 million deal. Look for New York to add a couple more pieces to the puzzle while using the draft to bring in more talent on defense.

Team Strengths: 

- Eli Manning (He had a career high in completion percentage and touchdown passes a season ago and should continue to make progress as he enter his seventh NFL season)

- Depth at Running Back (Brandon Jacobs struggled in 2009 but has shown potential. The emergence of Ahmad Bradshaw has the Giants ready to enter 2010 with a RBBC approach. Danny Ware, Gartrell Johnson and Andre Brown all have a shot to get touches in New York)

- Smart Wide Receivers (When Plaxico Burress went to jail it looked like the Giants were going to struggle in this department, but that wasn’t the case. Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks created quite the tandem and should continue to get better this season)

Team Needs:

1.Finding an Elite Linebacker - Antonio Pierce has been released, leaving guys like Michael Boley and Chase Blackburn as the top players at the position. Needless to say the Giants will look to pick up an elite linebacker early in the draft and they’ll likely look for a middle linebacker. The Giants would love to be able to get Alabama’s Rolando McClain, who is a guy that could step in right away and produce. Unfortunately, McClain may not be there when they pick at No. 15.

2. Improve at Cornerback  - Corey Webster and Aaron Ross are recent high draft picks by the Giants but neither has lived up to his potential. The Giants would love to get their hands on a true shutdown corner. Florida’s Joe Haden may be available when the Giants pick. Though he was considered a top-10 pick his sub-par 40 times may allow the Giants to snag him. If not then Boise State’s Kyle Wilson is a guy the Giants could target instead though they may try to trade down a few picks to get him but pay less.

3. Adding Depth at Defensive Tackle - The Giants are thin at defensive tackle but they would also like to upgrade the position to take the heat off of ends Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora. Boosting this position would also help the rest of the defense. Better pressure from the defensive line would allow more room for the linebackers to make plays as well as not put the defensive backs in poor position on passing plays. The Giants may be able to use a second round pick to target Penn State’s Jared Odrick, Terrence Cody of Alabama or Georgia’s Geno Atkins.
{pagebreak}

Philadelphia Eagles

Like the Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles have been known to have a strong defense but are going to spend most of the off-season upgrading that side of the ball. Offensively, they will need to build depth along the offensive line and at running back but defense is the point of focus. The Eagles have pressing needs at pretty much every position on defense and with it being an uncapped year they could be in the market for some of the noteworthy free agents. However, head coach Andy Reid likes targeting his own players and looks to do so in the NFL Draft. don’t be surprised if Philadelphia does most of their work in the draft, as usual.

Team Strengths:

- Donovan McNabb (The Eagles also have Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick, but it’s McNabb that makes Philadelphia tick and he once again posted solid statistics in his 11th season)

- Talented Young Wide Outs (After just two seasons, DeSean Jackson is already a top tied wide receiver and second year receiver Jeremy Maclin has the talent to be just as good as Jackson. Philly is set at the wide out position for years to come)

- Brent Celek (No one can complain about his 76 receptions, 971 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Celek will once again be McNabb’s most reliable target on intermediate routes)

- Trent Cole (Cole is one of the best in the NFL at getting to the quarterback and his 12.5 sacks tied a career-high in 2009. At 27, Cole is entering his prime and he should be even better in 2010)

- Asante Samuel (The veteran cornerback is prone to get beat from time-to-time, but he did intercept nine passes in 2009 and is a threat to opposing quarterbacks trying to throw on his side of the field)

Team Needs:

1. Better Player from the Defensive Line - Cole, an end, is a bright spot for the Eagles but he’s not going to take over a game and could benefit from having a strong defensive end on the opposite side of him. Tackles Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkely are recent high draft picks that haven’t realized their full potential. Adding an first round draft pick at end or tackle would make sense for the rest of the defense and would go in line with head coach Andy Reid’s philosophy that you build teams from the inside out. Expect the Eagles to target tackles Dan Williams from Tennessee or Brian Price from UCLA.

2. Depth at Linebacker - The Eagles released Will Witherspoon. Jeremiah Trotter is expected to once again retire and outside of Akeem Jordan no one can stay healthy in Philadelphia The Eagles expect Stewart Bradley and Omar Gaither to return from season ending injuries and make an impact right away; however, the team needs to add depth at a position that has been hampered by injuries. A mid-round pick for this position is likely, but don’t be surprised if the Eagles make another trade here.

3. Address Their Issues at Safety - The top two safeties listed on the Eagles depth chart right now are Quintin Mikell and Sean Jones. Mikell is solid as a strong safety, but the Eagles need to target free safeties through free agency or the NFL Draft. Earl Thomas of Texas probably won’t be there when Philly drafts at No. 24 but they could possibly land someone like Nate Allen of South Florida in Round 2.

Washington Redskins

Given how active the Washington Redskins have been in the free agency market under owner Dan Snyder, many expected them to be big spenders this season, especially with the threat of an uncapped season ahead. Yet the Redskins did not sign defensive end Julius Peppers or linebacker Karlos Dansby or safety Antrel Rolle. Now, many people are wondering if there is a change of philosophy in Washington. Perhaps new head coach Mike Shanahan has gotten inside Snyder’s head, convincing the owner to build through the draft and player development instead of free agency. If that’s the case then expect to see a flurry of picks on the offensive side of the ball.

Team Strengths:

- Santana Moss (He doesn’t possess the world class speed that he once had but he is the staple in the receiving game and should fare well in Mike Shanahan’s offense)

- Albert Haynesworth (Fans and ownership grew frustrated with Haynesworth’s lack of commitment in 2009 but he’s one of the best run stoppers in all of football. Shanahan won’t put up wth his laziness and look for Haynesworth to earn his money this year)

- Veteran Linebackers (London Fletcher has been arguably the best true tackler in the NFL over the past decade. Brian Orakpo is young, physical and should be a force in this league and Rocky McIntosh is coming off a solid season and has been a consistent performer in each of his last three seasons)

Team Needs:

1. Improve the Offensive Line - To begin to rebuild this offense the Redskins will need a strong line, and they’ll need to start at the tackle position following the retirement of Chris Samuels. The Redskins did sign Artis Hicks from the Minnesota Vikings but Washington holds the fourth overall draft pick. Sure they could use it on a quarterback like Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame or Sam Bradford of Oklahoma but is it worth it when they can potentially land an elite tackle prospect, such Russell Okung of Oklahoma State? However, if they decide to go with a signal caller, there are a ton of strong tackles in this draft, so perhaps the Redskins could pick one up early in the second round.

2. Adding Depth at Running Back - We all know how much Mike Shanahan loves his running backs and it just so happens Washington is in need at that position anyway. Clinton Portis’ best days are behind him and the Redskins cleaned house on all of his back-ups. Looking at the draft, Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech and Montario Hardesty of Tennessee would be good picks in the second round for the Redskins, as would Stanford’s Toby Gerhart. With Shanahan, it’s not a matter of if he picks a running back in the draft this year, it’s a matter of when.

3. Upgrade at Quarterback - The situation regarding incumbent starter Jason Campbell is a touchy one. One on hand he’s not the worst quarterback in the league and has shown, when he’s given time, that he can be an adequate quarterback. Not helping matters are the different systems he’s had to learn during his career. But Campbell may be beyond repair and Shanahan may not be in the mood for a reclamation project anyway. If that’s the case, then the Redskins would likely be able to choose from Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford at No.4 overall. However, if they decide to take a franchise tackle, the Redskins can target a developmental quarterback like Jevan Snead of Ole Miss or Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan later in the draft.

NFC Needs By Division:  NFC West  |  NFC North |  NFC South  |  NFC East

AFC Needs By Division:  AFC West  |  AFC North |  AFC South |  AFC East

Feel we missed something with regards to one of the team’s above, let us know by heading to the Bruno Boys Forum.

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

Consisting of 10 members of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Staff, along with guest columnist’s from Fighting Chance Fantasy and The IDP Guru, our first of many Fantasy Football 2010 Mock Draft was a 16-round affair based on a standard scoring league (Pass TDs - 4 points, All Other TDs - 6 points, 25 Yards Passing - 1 point, 10 Yards Rushing/Receiving - 1 point). Outside of having to field a starting line-up occupied by 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, and 1 D, owners were free to compile their rosters any way in which they pleased.

All commentary after each pick is provided by the Bruno Boys staff member who made that pick. The draft started on February 15, 2010 and we will report round-by-round updates as they are available. Make sure to check back for more commentary on our Fantasy Football 2010 Mock Draft.

FEBRUARY MOCK DRAFT ROUND 8 RESULTS

10.01: Bruno Boys Cavigs - Cadillac Williams (TB) — This is a start three wide receiver league and with only three on my current roster I debated taking a fourth here; however, none of them interested me enough to pull the trigger. Instead, I will address my back-up wide receivers with 2010 sleeper picks and take back-to-back running backs at the turn. By drafting Cadillac Williams, I feel I have solidified my depth at the position. Cadillac compiled 1,040 total yards last season and his 93 touches over the last five games are a sign that his knees are healthy and better things are to come.

10.02: Bruno Boys Greg - Nate Burleson (Sea) — Burleson may not have had a great season in 2009, where he had 63 catches for 812 yards, and 3 touchdowns. However, you did see his quarterback Matt Hasselbeck look his way a good bit, as he was targeted 103 times. The Seahawks offense should be much improved in 2010 and as long as Hasselbeck gets time to throw, he should be able to find Burleson deep quite a bit. Look for Burleson to at least double his touchdown production this season.  **pick was made before Burleson signed with the Detroit Lions**

10.03: Bruno Boys IDP Guru - Ryan Matthews (FA) — Mathews probably had the best combine of any running back and is arguably the second best running back in the draft behind C.J. Spiller. Mathews brings both speed and power to the table which could make him a great fantasy football running back. If he ends up with the right team, look for Matthews to make an immediate impact.

10.04: Bruno Boys Kyle - Lee Evans (Buf) — Evans is coming off the least productive season of his career, and with no Terrell Owens being force-fed passes, and a new coaching staff in place that actually believes in throwing the ball further than five yards downfield, I’m completely confident that Evans will rebound.

10.05: Bruno Boys Cory -  Visanthe Shiancoe (Min) — I waited on a tight end and still was able to get a good one in Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings. He had just 59 receptions for 566 yards last season, but 11 of those catches went for touchdowns. That’s not an aberration either. The year before he caught seven touchdowns with guys like Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson as his quarterback. So yeah, I love the value of Shiancoe with this pick.

10.06: Bruno Boys Allie - Leon Washington (NYJ) — What I like about Washington is that he’s a guy who always finds ways to compile the yards any which way he can. He’s also a solid pass-catching back and I expect this will be his role regardless of whether it’s Greene or Jones (rumored to be cut by the Jets at the time of this pick) getting the majority of touches. Using my 10th round pick on Washington adds depth to my bench - not only is he a quality reserve fantasy football running back (especially if Jones is out of the picture) - I think he also has nice sleeper potential.  **pick was made before Jones was cut by New York**

10.07: Bruno Boys Jimbo - Laurence Maroney (NE) — Laurence Maroney went through a nice hot streak at one point last season where he became the true feature back for the New England Patriots temporarily. I’m not asking for much with this pick given how this team seems to like to play running back merry-go-round. However, stashing him on my bench could be beneficial if he hits another hot streak at some point in 2010, which very well may happen.

10.08: Bruno Boys Jacob - Brett Favre (Min) — I’m typically the fantasy football owner that drafts a stud quarterback and doesn’t even draft a backup; however, with Matt Ryan as my incumbent starter, I need to solidify the QB depth. I honestly have no idea if Favre comes back in 2010 (I wonder if Brett even knows?), but I figure he’s worthy of a 10th round pick. He has great receiving options in Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe, so if he comes back he could definitely be a top-10 fantasy QB in 2010.

10.09: Bruno Boys Hallam - Arian Foster (Hou) — OK, this probably seems early to a lot of you, but I am drafting with some very smart people here and I want to get a running back with some upside. I’m not convinced that the Texans are sold on Steve Slaton and Foster finished the season very strong with over 200 yards and three touchdowns in the season’s final two games. He does have a tendency to fumble, which could limit his touches based on coach Gary Kubiak’s history, but I like Foster and think he could possibly even grab the starting job with a strong preseason.

10.10: Bruno Boys Whooley - Vince Young (Ten) — What a difference a year makes? 2008 saw Vince Young dealing with a bevy of mental issues that resulted in the Titans quarterback backing up veteran Kerry Collins to begin the 2009 season. Collins, though, struggled to get the Titans going, giving Young another opportunity to prove himself. And, he did just that. Young brought the Titans back from an 0-6 start to a respectable 8-8 record at season’s end. In the process, Young amassed double digit fantasy football points in 8 of 10 games. I feel comfortable with him as my back-up QB behind Tom Brady.

10.11: Bruno Boys Larry - Eli Manning (NYG) — Eli might not consistently put up the elite fantasy football numbers big brother Peyton does, but he had some very good games in 2009 passing for over 4,000 yards. He had a good touchdown to interception ratio and he will be a good compliment to my No. 1 quarterback Jay Cutler. If Cutler is my QB1, then Manning will be my QB1a.

10.12: Bruno Boys Matt - Eddie Royal (Den) — I can’t believe I landed Royal in the 10th round in a league that starts three wide receivers. Josh McDaniels has already stated he expects a bounce back year from Royal and will try to get him more involved in the offense. And if Brandon Marshall gets traded? Quite a bit of upside for a guy that will enter 2010 as my WR5 option.

Round 10 Commentary from Bruno Boys Cavigs: With this being our first fantasy football mock draft of the 2010 season you don’t know how deep the crop of talent is going to be; however, I’m amazed with the quality of players at each position still available this late in the draft. In my opinion, all 12 staff members did an excellent job of addressing a need with their Round 10 pick.

With running-back-by-committee (RBBC) approaches surfacing around the league it has increased the talent pool at the position and that is why we are seeing talented running backs with upside go this late in fantasy football drafts. At pick 10.01 I snagged Cadillac Williams as my RB5. People forget that Caddy played in 16 games last year and went for over 1,000 yards in a bad offense. He won’t be a weekly started, but he will be a nice bye week and match-up play. Shortly after that, Bruno Boys IDP Guru went the route of drafting a rookie runner in Ryan Matthews. Out of Fresno State, Matthews wasn’t tested much in college however, he is a bruising running back who can make an easy transition into the NFL. Every year a rookie running back produces immediately and if Matthews lands in the right spot he could be that guy.

In hopes he can return to his 2006 form, Bruno Boys Kyle spent pick 10.04 on Lee Evans as his WR3 and Bruno Boys Cory addressed his tight end needs at 10.05 by drafting Visanthe Shiancoe, who’s 18 touchdowns lead all tight ends over the past two NFL seasons.

With three of the next four picks, we saw owners add depth at the most coveted fantasy football position; running back. Bruno Boys Allie went the upside route and drafted one of the NFL’s most dynamic players in Leon Washington. There is no guarantee Washington will stay in New York in 2010; however, that doesn’t hurt his fantasy outlook. After fracturing his leg, Washington is on track to be ready for training camp and is a lock to touch the football 10-15 times regardless of the uniform he wears. He is the type of guy you draft as your RB4. Next, we saw Bruno Boys Jimbo go with Laurance Maroney of the New England Patriots. Maroney will once again be part of a RBBC backfield but as Jimbo mentioned, if he can catch fire he should be fantasy worthy for a period of time. Spending a Round 10 pick on Maroney is worth taking a chance; though I’m not convinced it will happen. Rounding out the run on running backs was Bruno Boys Hallam taking Arian Foster with pick 10.09. This could be a round to early for a guy who plays in an offense in which the coach can’t commit to one guy; however, Hallam is high on Foster and felt he wouldn’t be able to draft him if he waited any longer. Foster did show signs of hope towards the end of the 2009 campaign but if he fumbles early on his days could be numbered in Houston. After all, it’s not often that an undrafted free agent gets multiple chances to earn his keep. Hallam better hope Foster integrated sticky glue into his hands during the off-season.

Finally, we saw Bruno Boys Whooley and Bruno Boys Larry draft back-up quarterbacks in Vince Young and Eli Manning. If you are drafting Young it should be as a back-up to a stud quarterback and that is what Whooley did. He has Young to play behind Tom Brady, who will only be sitting when the Patriots have a bye. As for Larry, he did what every owner should do when drafting Jay Cutler hoping for a bounce back year. Get a veteran who can slide right and and produce when Cutler has a bad match-up or starts throwing interceptions. Manning won’t win you a fantasy game, but he certainly won’t lose you one and Larry is now sitting pretty playing match-ups at the quarterback position.

Overall, this round was solid from top to bottom and it should be interesting to look back on this after the 2010 season and see which Round 10 pick helped bring one of these teams to the fantasy football promise land.

Past Rounds RECAP:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12 |  13 | 14 |  15 |  16

Have an opinion on how the 10th round played out? If so, let us know!

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

NFC SOUTH

Once the laughing stock of the NFC, the NFC South has developed into a formidable division. Sure, just one team from the division played post-season football, but three (New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers) out of the four teams in the division finished with a .500 record or better, and that one team that entered post-season play, the Saints, well they didn’t do too bad for themselves. Heck, even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 2009 strong, winning two of their last three contests, though the 1-12 record prior wasn’t too pretty. Despite the division’s recent success, football is a game in which you can’t rest on your laurels. If the NFC South wants to continue their upward trend, then they’re going to have address the needs laid out below.

New Orleans Saints

What is there to really say about the team that just won the Super Bowl? New Orleans will go into this off-season really needing only to add solid depth, while also adding a few key components to its defense.

Team Strengths:

- Passing Attack (If there was any doubt about Drew Brees’ status as one of the premier passers in the NFL going into 2009, that’s over and done with. The QB has now thrown for at least 4,300 yards and 26 TDs in each of the last four seasons)
- Stable of Wide Receivers (Brees’ biggest strength may be his ability to spread the love; a strength that is aided greatly by the depth the Saints showcase at wide receiver with Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, and Lance Moore)
- Running Backs (The Saints look likely to retain the services of restricted free agent, Pierre Thomas, and will bring Reggie Bush back. Those two should be able to keep the ground game rolling and defenses honest)

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line - The Saints were 21st in the league against the run, and allowed the fourth-most rushing scores in all of football. They need a defensive tackle to complement former first-round pick Sedrick Ellis, as well as depth at defensive end.

2. Linebacker - Scott Fujita is an unrestricted free agent, and they’ll likely try and re-sign him, but they simply need better overall players at the position. Jonathan Vilma is very good, so they’re set in the middle, but even if they do re-sign Fujita, they have to get better at linebacker if they wish to hoist the Lombardi Trophy yet again.

3. Safety - The Saints were not good against the pass, coming in 26th in the league in that statistical category. They got by because they created so many turnovers, but that’s not something you can count on every year. Darren Sharper is a free agent, and the Saints want to re-sign him, but he’s 34 years old, so they’ll need to add youth no matter what.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons finished the 2009 season with a 9-7 record, but that was only after winning their final three games of the season. They’ve already addressed their biggest off-season need via free agency, having reportedly signed cornerback Dunta Robinson for six-years for $57 million. Robinson’s acquisition should go a long way in helping to shore up a secondary that ranked 28th against the pass in 2008, but the team still has more to accomplish if they want to join the Saints in the playoffs.

Team Strengths:

- Matt Ryan (In drafting Ryan, the Falcons definitely landed the franchise QB they needed after the Michael Vick debacle. In two seasons, Ryan has led the Falcons to a 20-10 record in games he hast started)
- Michael Turner (Perhaps their is such a thing as the 370+ curse, as Turner’s 2009 season was riddled by injury; however, when on the field, he was still one of the best RBs out there)
- Top of the Line Pass Catchers (Roddy White continued his development into one of the premier receivers in the league in 2008, while veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez proved he still has something left in the tank. Ryan couldn’t ask for better targets.)

Team Needs:

1. Linebacker - Curtis Lofton is a good player at middle linebacker, and Stephen Nicholas was solid as well, but Mike Peterson is 33 years old, and they simply need more playmakers at the linebacker position.

2. Offensive Line -  Atlanta may have given up just 27 sacks on the year in 2009, but don’t be fooled, much of that was due to the quick thinking and release of Ryan. There are needs up and down the O-Line for the Falcons, notably at the center position, and there doesn’t seem to be an in-house option to cover that, so look for Atlanta to go after an interior lineman or two in the draft.

3. Defensive End: John Abraham is still solid at age 31, but he accumulated just 5.5 sacks last season after getting 16.5 in 2008. The bigger problem, though, is Jamaal Anderson. The former seventh overall pick has been an epic bust, and had just half of a sack last season, and has only 2.5 in his three-year career.
{pagebreak}

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers, who finished 8-8 last season, have made their off-season strategy very clear – purge the roster of aging or overpriced veterans. They mercifully released turnover machine and quarterback Jake Delhomme, and have watched stalwart defensive end Julius Peppers sign with the Bears while also releasing a number of defensive linemen. Will the move to get younger pay off?

Team Strengths:

- Power Running Game (The dynamic duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart wreaked havoc on opposing defenses in 2008, making the Panthers the third best rush offense in the NFL with an average of 156.1 yards per game)
- Steve Smith (Smith’s numbers were down in 2009, but more of that was a result of bad quarterback play than a decline in his skills. Prior to breaking his arm in Week 16, Smith had three straight games with a score)
- Offensive Line (As good as Williams and Stewart are, they weren’t getting those rush yards solely on their own. Much of the Panthers’ success on the ground had to do with the big boys up front clearing the way for the RBs)

Team Needs:

1. Quarterback - Carolina trudged the No. 27 passing offense onto the field last season, and they need to fix that in order to balance out their potent running attack. Matt Moore will likely go into the season as the starter for the team, but he’s unproven, meaning they still need to bring in a veteran back-up just in case.

2. Defensive Line - The Panthers had just 31 sacks last season, the ninth-fewest in the NFL, and they’ve already lost Julius Peppers (10.5 sacks) this off-season. Meanwhile, Tyler Brayton, who was second on the team with 5.0 sacks, is a free agent. The good news is that Charles Grant is a former third-round pick who had four sacks last season, and last season, they traded their first-round pick in this year’s draft for Everette Brown, who had 2.5 sacks, so there is some promise there. Still, they need to fill in the gaps.

3. Receiver/Tight End - There’s Steve Smith and then there’s … Steve Smith. Carolina desperately needs to get more offensive pass-catching weapons in the fold to bolster a weak passing game. They have second-round flops Dwayne Jarrett and Dexter Jackson (signed after Tampa Bay released him), so it’s possible one of those two finally develops, but don’t hold your breath.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There isn’t much the Bucs don’t need to improve on. They have a young quarterback that struggled, few offensive weapons, and a run defense that was the worst in the NFL last season. So, their strategy is pretty easy to decipher – they need everything.

Team Strengths:

- Solid Running Attack (You know it’s bad when one of your team’s strengths is a rushing attack that ranked 23rd in the league. But, in reality, the Bucs do have guys on their roster that can run with the football, boasting the likes of Carnell Williams, Derrick Ward, and Earnest Graham. The key is getting them attempts by keeping drives going with the passing game)
- Kellen Winslow (The Bucs’ top pass catcher in 2009, Winslow hauled in 77 passes for 884 yards and 5 scores, fine production from the tight end position)
- CB Aqib Talib and S Tanard Jackson (Both Talib and Jackson were able to frustrate opposing QBs, as both tallied 5 INTs in 2009)

Team Needs:

1. Wide Receiver - Only Winslow had at least 40 catches and over 600 yards for the Bucs in 2009. Antonio Bryant is a free agent, and the team may not re-sign him, but no matter what happens, it’s imperative for them to go after wide outs in free agency or, more likely, the draft. If they don’t, it’s going to be hard for sophomore QB Josh Freeman to continue his development as an NFL QB.

2. Defensive Line - Tampa lacks playmakers along the defensive line, and that’s evident when you look at their roster and the stats from last year. Tampa tallied just 28 sacks on the season and allowed opposing RBs to gash them, giving up a staunch 4.8 yards per carry. They need a pass-rushing presence on the edge of the defense and run stopper in the middle.

3. Cornerback - With Talib and Jackson, the Bucs have the makings of a solid young secondary, but they’ll need another cornerback to eventually replace Ronde Barber. Still, they’re not that far away from having a very good back four.

NFC Needs By Division:  NFC West  |  NFC North |  NFC South  |  NFC East

AFC Needs By Division:  AFC West  |  AFC North |  AFC South |  AFC East

Feel we missed something with regards to one of the team’s above, let us know by heading to the Bruno Boys Forum.

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

In this article, we’ll break down the possibilities that lay ahead for the Washington Redskins. With that said, let’s get to it.

Washington Redskins

Similar to the rest of the teams we have looked at in the NFL Draft articles we have posted in the previous month, the Washington Redskins are in desperate need of some big changes. The team has already brought in Mike Shanahan as their Head Coach, and they are now looking to make some serious additions in this off-season, as they look to keep up with the rest of the NFC East.

With the fourth pick overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, the ‘Skins can definitely make a splash by drafting a quarterback in the first round. No offense to Jason Campbell, but he just doesn’t seem the QB to turn this franchise around. Whether it’s Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, going with a QB on Day 1 would give the Redskins a potential franchise QB for years to come.  If they’re not enamored by either of the top two quarterback options or have extreme faith in Campbell, another route the Redskins could go is the offensive tackle position.

Truth be told, the Redskins could go either way on this one. Fortunately, a franchise player should be available to them at either position come their pick (especially with initial mock drafts showing two defensive tackles assuredly going off the board within the first three picks). Whether the ‘skins go with Clausen/Bradford or Okung/Davis (Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State/Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers), they are setting themselves up nicely for the coming years.

But, the question is who marks the biggest improvement to the Washington Redskins for 2010?

An offensive tackle is typically the surest way to make improvements for fantasy purposes and more importantly, for a team’s win-loss record. You don’t need to go any farther than looking at the Miami Dolphins wand what they did with the first overall pick in 2008 to see what kind of improvements a premier offensive linemen can bring. After finishing up 1-15 in 2007, the Dolphins catapulted to 11-5 in 2008 to win the AFC East after drafting Jake Long, OT, Michigan in the first round. While it’s impossible to know if Okung or Davis can make that significant of an impact, if the Redskins want to be as competitive as possible, that may be the right pick.

Okung is probably more balanced and more experienced (a senior out of a Big 12 school), than Davis is (a junior out of a Big East school). To make things more difficult for the ‘Skins braintrust, Mel Kiper Jr. has Okung ranked ahead of Davis, while Todd McShay ranks Davis ahead of Okung. Needless to say, neither will be a bad pick where the Redskins are at with the 4th overall selection.

With regards to potentially drafting a QB, the only issue that could occur would be if Campbell exceeds expectations and turns in a career year where he leads the ‘Skins to the playoffs. That could leave the Redskins in a predicament in which they have to serviceable QBs on the roster. Not a bad spot to be in, but a predicament nonetheless.

From a fantasy perspective, this is a team that really doesn’t offer much to the 10-12 team league fantasy owner. Campbell is hardly a back-up QB, RB Clinton Portis was a worthy fantasy option until injuries derailed his 2009 season (with that in mind, Portis can definitely excel under Mike Shanahan again as he did in his first two years in the NFL: 3,787 total yards, 31 touchdowns and could prove to be great value in 2010 drafts), and the wide receiving corps leave much to be desired. An offensive lineman can definitely bring the most help to this struggling fantasy entity.

More NFL Draft Coverage:  STL  |  CAR  |  SEA  |  GB |  WAS

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.