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War room debates

A look inside the key debates for each team in the NFL

Posted: Wednesday April 25, 2007 12:11PM; Updated: Thursday April 26, 2007 11:24AM
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AFC EAST

Michigan's Leon Hall should be the first or second cornerback taken in the NFL draft.
Michigan's Leon Hall should be the first or second cornerback taken in the NFL draft.
Damian Strohmeyer/SI
FILM ROOM
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
JaMarcus Russell | Brady Quinn
Calvin Johnson | Levi Brown
Adrian Peterson | Joe Thomas
Marshawn Lynch | Ted Ginn Jr.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Gaines Adams | Patrick Willis
Amobi Okoye | LaRon Landry
Jamaal Anderson | Leon Hall
Alan Branch | Adam Carriker
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BUFFALO BILLS

Key Debate: They have to replace three starters on defense and need a dependable running back? Should they take a corner or linebacker at No. 12? Is running back Anthony Thomas the right guy to replace Willis McGahee?

My Advice: Take the defensive player they have rated the highest -- perhaps Leon Hall, Darrelle Revis or Patrick Willis -- in the first round. Then come back and find the running back in the second or third round. Antonio Pittman, Kenny Irons or Brandon Jackson will be available in the second.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Key Debate: Will cornerback Asante Samuel be there long term? How much longer will safety Rodney Harrison and linebacker Tedy Bruschi play at a high level? Can Laurence Maroney carry the load by himself?

My Advice: Focus on defense in the first round. A big-time corner should still be on the board at No. 24, and look for a safety or linebacker at No. 28. Aaron Ross, Brandon Meriweather, Reggie Nelson or Jon Beason would keep the defense playing at a high level.

NEW YORK JETS

Key Debate: Who will start opposite cornerback Andre Dyson? Will they find a pass rusher to improve a mediocre pass defense? Is Chris Baker the long term answer at TE?

My Advice: Take tight end Greg Olsen if he is on the board in the first round, then grab a quality corner like Daymeion Hughes or Jonathan Wade in the second round. A pass rusher like Anthony Spencer would also be a nice pick up in the first round if Olsen is already off the board.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Key Debate: Can they find a franchise quarterback to groom? How do they address the offensive line woes?

My Advice: Hope that Brady Quinn falls to No. 9. If he isn't there, take offensive tackle Levi Brown, then focus on finding a quarterback like Trent Edwards or Drew Stanton in the second round. There will be plenty of offensive linemen available in rounds two and three. Josh Beekman, Marshal Yanda and Ryan Harris are candidates.

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Key Debate: They wonder if star offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden will return for another season, and there are other holes along the offensive line. Will Samari Rolle return to Pro Bowl level? Is Kyle Boller still considered a potential quarterback of the future?

My Advice: Take the best available offensive lineman at No. 29, then grab a cornerback in the second round. Tony Ugoh, Ben Grubbs, Justin Blalock or Arron Sears would be first-year starters along the line, and a young corner like Jonathan Wade or Josh Wilson would compete for time in their nickel package.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Key Debate: How do you improve a defense that ranked 30th overall in yards allowed and 31st in pass defense? Who steps in for suspended receiver Chris Henry?

My Advice: The defense needs to be addressed early in the draft. They can grab a top pass rusher such as Jamaal Anderson or Jarvis Moss at No. 18 and patch up their secondary holes by adding a versatile defensive back like Tanard Jackson at No. 49.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Key Debate: Is Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson the quarterback of the future? Can Jamal Lewis improve the 31st-ranked rushing offense? Finding a starting cornerback is also a priority.

My Advice: The prospect of adding Brady Quinn is intriguing, but running back Adrian Peterson gives the offense an workhorse to build around. A quality corner should be available at the top of the second round -- Eric Wright or Marcus McCauley would be intriguing options at No. 36.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Key Debate: Do they draft defensive personnel for the 3-4 or the 4-3? They need to find a big back to complement Willie Parker and stud guard Alan Faneca is in the final year of his deal.

My Advice: Stay at No. 15 and grab an explosive player like Lawrence Timmons or trade back to grab an OG like Grubb or Justin Blalock late in the first round. Address the running back situation in the second or third round with a power back like Tony Hunt, or gamble on the talented, but injured Michael Bush.

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