[Editor’s note: The following is our fourth in a series of NFL Draft team needs by division We’ve looked at the AFC East, NFC South, and NFC West.]
Baltimore
DL: Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards just left the building, while Kelly Gregg and Trevor Pryce aren’t getting any younger. The Ravens could use a few prospects here.
TE: In theory, Cam Cameron loves to expose mismatches with tight ends. In reality, Todd Heap is a so-so starter despite a healthy season in ’09. Baltimore could look hard at Rob Gronkowksi and Jermaine Gresham as possible replacements.
OT: The Ravens seem willing to move on from Jared Gaither. No team does a better job thinking years ahead and stockpiling massive offensive line talent.
CB: The top three look decent on paper, but LaDarius Webb and Fabian Washington are coming off torn ACLs. Domonique Foxworth’s first season in Baltimore was uneven. Webb looks like a keeper, but it’s been more than a decade since Baltimore drafted a true difference-maker at the position -- Chris McAlister.
Cincinnati
DL: The team only has four true defensive ends on the roster, and Robert Geathers would be more productive coming off the bench. The team’s run defense would also improve if they upgraded from replacement level starter Tank Johnson.
TE: Bengals fans know how many times the lack of a pass-catching tight end hurt them last year. Chase Coffman doesn’t look close to helping. Marvin Lewis also likes to use six-men offensive lines, but they don’t have a great blocking tight end on the roster. (The team could improve things before the draft.)
G: Bobbie Williams re-signed, but he’s turning 34 years old there isn’t a lot of depth here. Nate Livings was the starting left guard last year and exceeded expectations.
S: This is a get-by unit led by short-term solutions Chris Crocker and Roy Williams, who both have shortcomings in pass coverage. Nedu Ndukwe is a tough player, but his coach says he needs more discipline in pass coverage. They need a safety that can cover the slot.
Cleveland
DL: In a way, Mike Holmgren’s lucky. Needs don’t matter that much because this roster needs help everywhere. We’ll start with the defensive line. Both ends are over 31, and the team’s best defensive player (Shaun Rogers) is also its most unreliable. Holmgren can’t just think about 2010.
WR: Mohamed Massaquoi is a keeper; Brian Robiskie is a mystery. There is an opportunity to start here because there is very little evidence Josh Cribbs can be a consistent weapon at wideout.
QB: Mike Holmgren wasn’t patient enough waiting for his short-term fix at quarterback. He handed Jake Delhomme big money, and could have acquired Donovan McNabb or Jason Campbell. The Browns need a mid-round prospect to develop, and this is a bad draft to get one.
S: A cornerback would be nice, but the starting tandem isn’t bad after acquiring Sheldon Brown. They could use a free safety help opposite Abram Elam even more.
Pittsburgh
CB: Both William Gay and Ike Taylor saw their stock drop precipitously last year.
DE: Last year’s injury to Aaron Smith was a reminder that the team needs to find their next Aaron Smith. That’s a tall order.
RB: The impact of a sluggish running game on Pittsburgh’s record last year was overstated, but the team still needs fresh legs. Mewelde Moore is a fine third-down back. Rashard Mendenhall could use a hard-charging backup to help ease the burden.
OL: Willie Colon is an underrated player, but this is a good, not great group that could use competition at every position. Florida center Maurkice Pouncey makes some sense in the first round. He could start at guard, and eventually replace Justin Hartwig at center.
(Oh, and quarterback isn’t a need unless they trade Ben Roethlisberger. And that won’t happen unless they got a quarterback in return.)