From ESPN and Scouts Inc - NFC North needs

Bears must give Grossman help from Scouts Inc.


Hundreds of players have already changed teams, but with the draft still to come, every roster remains a work in progress. Scouts Inc. has updated its list of needs for all 32 NFL teams. Here's a breakdown of the NFC North.


Chicago Bears
Cornerback: Nathan Vasher doesn't have elite size, but is strong, quick and athletic. Vasher is quality starter, but the concern is who lines up opposite him. Charles Tillman, who will undergo offseason shoulder surgery, hasn't developed as quickly as hoped and the Bears could move him to safety. Jerry Azumah has had problems staying healthy and the unrestricted free agent isn't expected back at this point. While signing Dante Wesley improves depth, Wesley lacks the burst and instincts of an every-down corner. As a result, Chicago needs a corner with the size, agility and explosiveness to push for immediate playing time opposite Vasher.



ClarkTight end: Desmond Clark is an adequate short-to-intermediate receiver and the team re-signed John Gilmore, who is a relentless in-line blocker, so there is actually good depth here. The problem is the lack of a true starter, as Clark is inconsistent and Gilmore offers little as a receiver. Adding a tight end who can make an immediate impact in an every-down role would allow Clark and Gilmore to move into situational roles where they fit well. It's also worth noting that the Bears' offense is predicated on the run and Rex Grossman is still a relatively inexperienced quarterback. Keeping that in mind, adding a tight end who can control the point of attack as a blocker and make the tough catch in traffic should be the priority.
Strong-side linebacker: Hunter Hillenmeyer plays hard and flashes good instincts, but he is better defending the run than dropping into coverage and doesn't make enough big plays. He is more of a situational run stuffer than an every down-player and the biggest reason he started last year is that he was simply Chicago's best option. Joe Odom missed most of last year because of an ankle injury, Leon Joe is a liability as a run defender and Brendon Ayanbadejo is at his best making plays on special teams. The Bears need a linebacker with the range, athletic ability and strength to push Hillenmeyer for playing time opposite Lance Briggs.

Offensive tackle: Fred Miller plays with great intensity and knows how to use sound technique to mask his weaknesses, but he is 33 and his best seasons are likely behind him. In addition, John Tait, who starts opposite Miller, is 31. Their age becomes more of an issue when considering the concerns surrounding depth. John St. Clair is a better fit at center than offensive tackle and Qasim Mitchell has problems holding his own in pass protection. Chicago needs an offensive tackle versatile enough to provide depth at both tackle positions and talented enough to develop into a starter in time.

Defensive tackle: A quadriceps injury could force Tank Johnson to miss training camp and it remains to bee seen how long he will be out. While Ian Scott was expected to compete with Johnson for the starting role opposite Tommy Harris, Johnson's absence would obviously weaken the team's depth. That's reason for concern because the Bears' one-gap scheme asks its defensive line to fly upfield and make plays in pursuit. For the unit to be truly effective, it needs to keep the front four fresh. Adding an explosive one-gap developmental prospect who can spell the starters makes sense.

Other possibilities: Free safety, wide receiver and place-kicker.



Detroit Lions
Cornerback: Dre' Bly and Fernando Bryant are an adequate starting tandem when healthy, but that wasn't the case last year. Bly missed four games with a broken right wrist and Fernando Bryant, who missed six games with injuries in 2004, is coming off a season-ending clavicle injury. If Detroit doesn't add at least one more corner to the roster, it would be in serious trouble if either Bly or Bryant were to miss time. The loss of R.W. McQuarters and Andre' Goodman has weakened depth, and Keith Smith is more effective matching up man-to-man than dropping into zone coverage. He will likely struggle to adjust to the Lions' new Cover 2 schemes. Detroit needs to add a corner who has the ball skills, burst and strength to push for playing time opposite Bly.

Outside linebacker: At this point, it appears the Lions will move Teddy Lehman inside to replace Earl Holmes, an unrestricted free agent who isn't expected to return. If Lehman moves, Alex Lewis and James Davis are expected to compete for the starting job on the weak side. The problem is neither is an every-down player. Lewis, who is coming off a season-ending injury, lacks ideal cover skills and Davis gets caught out of position far too much. Detroit needs a linebacker with the range, agility and strength to push Lewis and Davis for playing time opposite Boss Bailey. It's also important to note that Bailey is coming off a season-ending injury and there isn't great depth behind him. Ideally, the Lions should add a linebacker versatile enough to line up on either side.



LehmanInside linebacker: As mentioned above, Lehman is expected to move inside to replace Holmes, but that change alone doesn't fill this need. Lehman is yet another linebacker coming off a season-ending injury and there are obviously concerns about his ability to stay healthy playing between the tackles. Although free-agent signing Paris Lenon plays with a non-stop motor and should make an impact on special teams, he is strictly a situational player. Detroit needs to improve depth by adding a linebacker with the range to eventually excel in its Cover 2 schemes.
Offensive tackle: Detroit placed the franchise tag on Jeff Backus, and Kelly Butler is a powerful run blocker with the potential to develop into a quality starter on the right side. The problem here is depth. No. 3 Victor Rogers has appeared in just one game during his four-year career and his inability to hold up in pass protection would become a real problem should either starter miss time with an injury. It's also worth noting that Kyle Kosier's decision to sign with Dallas hurt because he is versatile enough to line up at tackle.

Running back: Kevin Jones' explosiveness makes him a threat to break off a long run every time he touches the ball, but he was a victim of the sophomore slump and continues to have problems staying healthy. While backup Shawn Bryson runs hard and provides adequate depth, he is a straight-line runner who is far better pounding the ball between the tackles than attacking the perimeter of the defense. Improving depth, while adding a developmental No. 3 who fits new offensive coordinator Mike Martz's schemes makes sense as a result.

Other options: Free safety and center.



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.



KampmanDefensive 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 rackle 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.

Weaks-side 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.



WinfieldCornerback: 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.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider.