Draft Needs

Draft Needs from ESPN

Green Bay Packers

Offensive guard: Green Bay failed to adequately replace Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera, who both departed through free agency last offseason. The team asked too much of 2005 seventh-round pick William Whitticker, who understandably experienced growing pains, and Adrian Klemm played so poorly he eventually lost his starting job to Scott Wells. The Packers need a guard who has the instincts, power and athletic ability to immediately step into the starting lineup as a result. That would force Whitticker and Klemm to compete for the other starting slot.

Outside linebacker: The Packers did well to sign Ben Taylor. Taylor has good instincts, shows good range and is versatile enough to line up at all three linebacker slots. However, he isn't dominant in any one area and has problems staying healthy, so he is more valuable providing depth than playing an every-down role. While Robert Thomas is expected to start on the weak side, a quadriceps injury slowed him last year and he s somewhat inconsistent. Making matters worse, Na'il Diggs and Paris Lenon have both departed through free agency. Green Bay needs to improve depth and add a linebacker capable of pushing Taylor for playing time.

Defensive end: Green Bay was wise to re-sign Aaron Kampman, who always seems to be around the ball at the end of the play. However, this remains an area of need. Though Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila has an explosive first step and great closing speed, he is undersized. His inability to anchor at the point of attack and tendency to wear down when teams consistently run at him, makes him more of a situational pass rusher than an every-down player. Keeping that in mind, adding an end with the size, power and athletic ability to push for playing time opposite Kampmann makes sense.

Center: Unrestricted free agent Mike Flanagan signed with Houston, creating a vacancy here. Wells, who did an adequate job of filling in at guard last year, is expected to replace him, but doesn't have ideal lower body strength or agility. In addition, Grey Ruegamer is an unrestricted free agent who isn't expected to return, so there isn't great depth. The Packers need to improve depth and add a center capable of competing with Wells for the starting job.

Wide Receiver: Keep an eye on the Javon Walker situation. Walker is clearly disgruntled and his days with the Packers may be numbered. If they trade or cut him, this will be a far greater need. Even if Walker is in a Green Bay uniform this year, this will still be a need. The reason is Donald Driver is 31 and age is going to start catching up with him. While Rod Gardener, Robert Ferguson and free-agent signee Marc Boerigter provide good depth, Gardner is inconsistent and the other two lack explosiveness. The Packers need to start grooming a possible replacement for Driver by selecting a developmental prospect in the later rounds.

Other options: Defensive tackle and running back.

Minnesota Vikings

Middle linebacker: Unrestricted free agent Sam Cowart signed with Houston and it will be interesting to see how the Vikings replace him. One option is sliding E.J. Henderson inside, as he has some experience playing there. The problem with that strategy is Johnson has problems holding his ground at the point of attack and has been more effective when lined up on the outside. Minnesota needs an interior linebacker who has a nose for the ball, is relentless in pursuit and can cover a lot of ground in coverage. That would allow Henderson to start on the strong side.

Weakside linebacker: Napoleon Harris didn't play as well as he hoped after the Vikings acquired him in a trade last year and his tackle numbers have steadily declined over the past three seasons. Dontarrious Thomas is talented enough to start, but hasn't developed either. Making matters worse, Keith Newman, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, and Raonall Smith are unrestricted free agents not expected to return. Minnesota could move free-agent signee Ben Leber or Henderson to the weak side, but Leber misses too many open-field tackles and Henderson lacks ideal cover skills, making them better fits for the strong side. The Vikings need a linebacker to push for immediate playing time on the weak side.

Cornerback: Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot are talented starters capable of holding their own on islands, but Smoot broke his collarbone last year and was inconsistent when he was on the field. In fact, Brian Williams held onto the starting job when Smoot returned from the injury. Now that Williams has signed with Jacksonville, depth is obviously a substantial concern. The Vikings need a corner with the cover skills to step into the nickel back role and give them more of an insurance policy, should Smoot miss time or fail to play like he's capable of playing.

Quarterback: Brad Johnson is an excellent game manager who isn't going to make a lot of mistakes, but he turns 38 this year and is clearly in the twilight of his career. Free-agent addition Mike McMahon is an adequate backup, as he played under new head coach Brad Childress when Childress was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia. However, the injury to Donovan McNabb last year gave McMahon an opportunity to prove he can start in this league and he struggled mightily. With that in mind, Minnesota would be wise to add a developmental No. 3 with the natural ability to improve depth and develop into a starter in time.

Wide eeceiver: Even with Nate Burleson leaving for Seattle, there is excellent depth here, so this may not appear to be a need. However, there is no clear-cut No. 1. Koren Robinson is too inconsistent, Travis Taylor still drops passes he should catch and Marcus Robinson is on the downside of his career. Perhaps most importantly, Troy Williamson failed to make a substantial impact last year and there are concerns he may never realize his potential. Keeping that in mind, the Vikings may try to add a difference-maker with an early round pick and try to fill more pressing needs with middle-round picks.

Other options: Defensive tackle and tight end.

I pretty much agree with those needs for the Packers. I don't think Ben Taylor is a viable starter, but hell I didn't know who the hell Ben Taylor was before last month. I know can you believe it the Nutbag didn't know Ben Taylor.

Not worried about receivers nearly as much as the oline. Time for Favre to throw will get 4 more wins alone.

Harvey, thanks for posting that second section....interesting reads for both teams. Vikings linebackers and Packers linebackers are big question marks.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Hawk, Sims, or Greenway going to either team....guess who most likely get's Hawk? LOL.....


Vikings have some young guys at CBs who may be able to hold down the nickle and dime. I think Williamson will be fine, I think GB needs to beef up if Walker follows through this time.