NFC Draft guide

What to watch for -- and hope for -- when your team picks

SI.com has been polling users to determine fans' views for which positions their favorite team should address in the 2003 NFL Draft. And safe to say, some of the opinions vary from what team sources and draftniks have expressed. Click here for the AFC guide.

AFC Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Oakland Raiders Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers Tennessee Titans

NFC Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings New Orleans Saints New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles St. Louis Rams San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Redskins

NFC North Chicago Bears Total Draft Picks: 12 Selections: 13, 22, 35, 68, 100, 139, 171, 176, 191, 206, 218, 261 What they're saying: Kordell Stewart is more than a stop-gap until they can draft his eventual successor. Now who really believes that? Several teams want to move up to take DT Dewayne Robertson, and the Jets pulled the trigger (trading Nos. 13 and 22 for the Bears' 4). What the fans want: QB -- Far and away the winner among the Bears faithful, finding Stewart's replacement is the top priority. Good thing for Chicago that the quarterback class runs fairly deep. What our experts think they need: DT -- interior lineman to replace aging veterans Washington and Traylor would improve the defense. QB -- it could get very ugly with Kordell Stewart behind center. CB -- a true shutdown corner has been needed for a while. T -- last year's first-round pick, Colombo, is still a big question mark. Detroit Lions Total Draft Picks: 9 Selections: 2, 34, 66, 99, 137, 144, 175, 216, 260 What they're saying: Charles Rogers will be a Detroit Lion mere moments after commissioner Paul Tagliabue puts the team on the clock. What the fans want: WR -- And this year, Matt Millen won't have to be overruled. This is a consensus pick. Who are we to argue? What our experts think they need: WR -- a game-breaking receiver is a must; need to vastly improve the speed. LB -- a thin group took a huge hit when Claiborne signed with the Vikings. RB -- they have received little on their investment in Stewart. S -- depth and an upgrade in talent is needed. Green Bay Packers Total Draft Picks: 11 Selections: 29, 94, 127, 165, 185, 203, 212, 244, 253, 256, 257 What they're saying: There's a lot of money tied up on the defensive line, so linebacker is a priority. ... Oddly, no one's really clamoring to find the heir to Brett Favre -- at least not this year. What the fans want: LB -- Na'il Diggs re-signed, but there's little else (Hannibal Navies) as far as having a proven commodity. And Torrance Marshall joins Jamal Reynolds as first-day draft busts. What our experts think they need: LB -- the Pack must come out of this draft with at least two with starting potential. QB -- the franchise believes it has two years left with Favre. OT -- injuries to Clifton and Tauscher makes this a precarious position. DL -- late-round prospect for depth is required. Minnesota Vikings Total Draft Picks: 7 Selections: 7, 40, 71, 105, 180, 190, 221 What they're saying: The defensive backfield deficiencies were addressed in free agency with Denard Walker and Ken Irvin. Getting an interior lineman for the defense is the team's focus. What the fans want: DB, DL -- Ddefensive backs aside, the Vikings know they have to find someone to play beside Chris Hovan. Minnesota has been trumpeting Jimmy Kennedy, but a trade back (with Baltimore?) and then taking Marcus Trufant would not be a shocker. What our experts think they need: DT -- a big-bodied player to compliment Hovan would improve the run defense. DB -- they have rebuilt the secondary, but have no true standout players. WR -- the talent behind Moss is almost nil. G -- a run-blocker to open holes for Bennett must be found. NFC South Atlanta Falcons Total Draft Picks: 6 Selections: 55, 121, 159, 196, 202, 238 What they're saying: Getting Peerless Price will flatten Michael Vick's learning curve a bit and make the Falcons a viable title contender -- if Atlanta can upgrade its defense. What the fans want: WR -- And they got one for a price, which precludes the Falcons from making a major move to improve the defensive front four. As it stands, Atlanta will probably opt for an offensive lineman at No. 55. What our experts think they need: S -- adding Corey Hall is a plus, but the team is concerned about Carpenter's neck injury. CB -- depth is an issue. T -- an upgrade over Weiner will be sought out. FB -- Christian's retirement leaves a void. Carolina Panthers Total Draft Picks: 8 Selections: 9, 45, 76, 108, 119, 145, 181, 227 What they're saying: Jake Delhomme is the QB the Panthers want to see taking snaps in 2003. Carolina won't get into the Byron Leftwich bidding, so expect an offensive lineman to come off the board at No. 9. What the fans want: QB -- Jordan Gross may not be as sexy as Leftwich, but the Panthers didn't break the bank to land Delhomme -- and there's always next year to grab a marquee QB. What our experts think they need: T -- there's not much in the way of bodies on the roster. CB -- Carolina's starters are backups for most teams. QB -- Peete and Jake Delhomme are not long-term answers. LB -- depth is needed. New Orleans Saints Total Draft Picks: 6 Selections: 17, 18, 54, 86, 155, 231 What they're saying: Defense will carry the day, but not necessarily at Nos. 17 and 18. The Saints would like to move up, but the Jets-Bears trade has possibily taken the hottest defensive lineman (Robertson) off the board. What the fans want: DB -- Trading for Tebucky Jones addressed New Orleans' need for a top-notch safety, so look for the Saints to draft linebackers and defensive linemen during this overhaul. What our experts think they need: DB -- pass-defending safeties and cornerbacks are the highest priority. DT -- a space-eater in the middle to help their porous run defense is needed. T -- Turley must quickly be replaced. LB -- a run-stuffer in the middle must be found. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Total Draft Picks: 6 Selections: 64, 97, 130, 133, 168, 205 What they're saying: We won the Super Bowl! ... Never mind that the Buccaneers' first pick is at No. 64 -- we won the Super Bowl! What the fans want: OL, RB -- Maybe these two picks go hand-in-hand; a good line opens holes for the running backs. Given Tampa Bay's drafting position, taking the best available offesnive lineman is prudent. What our experts think they need: OL -- needed for depth as the talent on the line is shaky. S -- losing Super Bowl MVP Jackson hurts the defense. WR -- the position needs a quick injection of speed. LB -- must replace the departed Singleton. NFC East Dallas Cowboys Total Draft Picks: 8 Selections: 5, 38, 69 , 103, 178, 186, 219, 236 What they're saying: Getting one of the top defensive backs or a defensive lineman is a must. Contrary to our final mock draft, the Cowboys won't take Chris Simms as No. 38. What the fans want: QB -- Enough with the Quincy Carters and Chad Hutchinsons of the world. Dallas fans are clamoring for someone to fill the shoes of Troy Aikman. ... Remember, there was a gap between Roger Staubach and Aikman, too. What our experts think they need: DT -- an impact defender who commands double teams has been missing. CB -- the 'Boys lack a true shutdown corner. RB -- a replacement for Emmitt is sorely needed for Parcells' offense. QB -- Hutchinson may not be the answer, and Carter is definitely not. New York Giants Total Draft Picks: 11 Selections: 25, 56, 91, 123, 160, 199, 207, 211, 240, 249, 255 What they're saying: Defensive line is a concern, even though the Giants signed Keith Washington and Ryan Kuehl (he's a long snapper, another need that had to be addressed). What the fans want: DB, OL -- Don't expect a defensive back to come off the board at No. 25; New York re-signed Omar Stoutmire and Kato Serwanga. As for O-line, that will be available later. Look for a D-lineman. What our experts think they need: DL -- either an end or tackle to take pressure off Strahan is a priority. C -- a dominant, smart blocker on the pivot upgrades the entire line. CB -- depth is required after cutting Sehorn loose. QB -- grooming a young passer for the future must be addressed. Philadelphia Eagles Total Draft Picks: 7 Selections: 30, 61, 62, 95, 131, 166, 245 What they're saying: Finding a replacement for Hugh Douglas is the focus at No. 30. The Eagles couldn't land free agent Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, so the pass rush remains a hole to be filled. What the fans want: WR -- The Eagles have invested a lot in first-day receivers the past few years, but none have become a difference-maker. Luckily for Philly fans, a WR can be had in later rounds -- sans the first-round pressure. What our experts think they need: DE – losing Douglas to free agency makes acquiring a pass rusher the main priority. MLB -- yet to replace Jeremiah Trotter, who left prior to the 2002 campaign. TE -- a pass-catching tight end to develop behind Lewis is a consideration. WR -- the Eagles have a bunch of No. 2s, but no prime target. Washington Redskins Total Draft Picks: 3 Selections: 44, 81, 232 What they're saying: We'll wait three to five years and pick off the Jets' free agents. What the fans want: QB -- C'mon, Patrick Ramsey is going to be fine. And Laveranues Coles will be a complement to Rod Gardner. The Redskins at No. 44 need to focus on that sieve-like defensive interior. What our experts think they need: DL - with age a factor, coupled with the loss of Daryl Gardner, they will look for both ends and tackles. S -- an upgrade in talent is badly needed in this area. TE -- a solid pass catcher to compliment the receiving corps would help. C -- Moore is steady, but a dominant center is needed. NFC West Arizona Cardinals Total Draft Picks: 8 Selections: 6, 37, 70, 102, 141, 177, 210, 220 What they're saying: Terrell Suggs' slow speeds in individual workouts is not a concern; he's a football player -- the Cardinals aren't asking him to anchor their 400-meter relay team. What the fans want: QB -- Obviously, Arizona fans aren't all that thrilled with Jeff Blake. Just like four other teams, so get in line. But at least it's Blake and not Kordell Stewart. The defensive line and wide receiver are more pressing issues. What our experts think they need: WR -- after the departure of Boston the Cards are in dire need. DE -- a pass rusher to compliment Bryant must be found. CB -- Starks was a major disappointment last year. QB -- needed for both the long and short term. St. Louis Rams Total Draft Picks: 11 Selections: 12, 43, 74, 106, 107, 148, 170, 172, 184, 251, 254 What they're saying: We'll beat you with speed -- or have Kyle Turley take you out back for a little one-on-one. What the fans want: OL -- The addition of Turley could balance the possible loss of Orlando Pace, of the Rams move their franchise tackle. A bigger concern is the play of St. Louis' LBs and DBs. What our experts think they need: CB -- must replace an aging Williams. TE -- the loss of Conwell hurts in all areas. WR -- Bruce is aging and Holt will be a free agent. LB -- a speed linebacker would nicely round out the unit. San Francisco 49ers Total Draft Picks: 8 Selections: 31, 32, 63, 96, 129, 167, 204, 246 What they're saying: Detroit added black to its uniforms so that Steve Mariucci could be like the Niners. Yeah, sure. In any case, the need is defense, in case you missed the playoff games. What the fans want: DB -- After getting lit up like the Fourth of July for most of last season, San Francisco's young DBs caught a lot of flak. However, it's the defensive line that must improve to relieve some of the pressure. ... D'Marco Farr? Keep looking. What our experts think they need: DL -- tackles and a big body at end is needed up front. WR -- though talented, their receiving corps could implode at any moment. T -- depth is an issue. CB -- they addressed this position last year, but Rumph was a disaster. Seattle Seahawks Total Draft Picks: 9 Selections: 11, 42, 73, 110, 135, 147, 183, 222, 224 What they're saying: Why did Dewayne Robertson have to rise so quickly on the draft board? The Seahawks pegged Robertson early, only to watch him leapfrog the once top-rated Jimmy Kennedy. What the fans want: DL -- Matt Hasselbeck secured his spot under center with an amazing stretch run in 2002. The offense is OK, so defense is the focus, especially with Ray Rhodes entering as the coordinator. Seattle can't go wrong with the best defensive lineman available. What our experts think they need: DL -- a pure edge rusher as well as a big interior player to replace the aging Randle are a necessity. CB -- the starters are shaky and depth is needed. QB -- a passer must be groomed for the future. S -- Tongue and Robertson have seen better days.