AFC East
* Areas of need: ILB, WR, CB, OLB, G.
*--* NEW ENGLAND (14-2)
*--*
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NFL Draft Preview Capsules
* Hello: Tim Dwight, WR/KR (SD); David Terrell, WR (CHI), Duane Starks, CB (AZ).
* Goodbye: Joe Andruzzi, G (CLE); Troy Brown, WR/DB; Wilbert Brown, OG; Zeron Flemister, TE; Ty Law, CB; Earthwind Moreland, CB; David Patten, WR (WAS); Roman Phifer, LB; Buck Rasmussen, DL.
* Strategy: The Patriots are unpredictable when it comes to drafting players, and not just because they have the 32nd selection in the first round. They love versatility -- a cornerback who can also play safety, a defensive lineman who can catch passes, a linebacker who doubles as a fullback -- a hallmark of a Bill Belichick-coached team. With Tedi Bruschi's status uncertain and Phifer gone, their most pressing need is at linebacker. But don't bet that they'll pick one in the first round.
* Prospects they're eyeing: LB Channing Crowder (Florida), Kevin Burnett (Tennessee), Darryl Blackstock (Virginia); WR Roddy White (Oklahoma); S Brodney Pool (Oklahoma).
*--* N.Y. JETS (10-6)
*--*
* Areas of need: CB, TE, T, DT, FS.
* Hello: Doug Jolley, TE (OAK); Derrick Blaylock, RB (KC); Jay Fiedler, QB (MIA); Barry Gardner, LB (CLE); Lance Legree, DE (NYG).
* Goodbye: Anthony Becht, TE (TB); Sam Cowart, LB (MIN); Jason Ferguson, DT (DAL); Toby Gowin, P (ATL); LaMont Jordan, RB (OAK); Kareem McKenzie, OT (NYG); Santana Moss, WR (WAS).
* Strategy: The Jets don't have a first-round pick, having traded it to Oakland, so they will probably focus on defense. They need a cover corner, and there are plenty of them in this draft. They addressed their need for a tight end by getting Jolley from the Raiders.
* Prospects they're eyeing: CB Carlos Rogers (Auburn), Fabian Washington (Nebraska); TE Heath Miller (Virginia), Alex Smith (Stanford).
*--* BUFFALO(9-7)
*--*
* Areas of need: TE, C, T, DT, RB.
* Hello: Bennie Anderson, G (BAL), Mike Gandy, G (CHI), Kelly Holcomb, QB (CLE).
* Goodbye: Drew Bledsoe, QB (DAL); Pat Williams, DT (MIN); Jonas Jennings, LT (SF); Pierson Prioleau, S (WAS).
* Strategy: With many teams trying to trade down, the Bills should have ample opportunities to move up. They don't pick until 55th overall, and they'll be hard pressed to get a top-flight player at that spot. That said, there probably won't be a run on tight ends or centers. They're hoping to get at least one starting offensive lineman.
* Prospects they're eyeing: C Chris Spencer (Mississippi), Jason Brown (North Carolina), David Baas (Michigan); DT Mike Patterson (USC).
*--* MIAMI (4-12)
*--*
* Areas of need: RB, WR, OLB, CB, DT.
* Hello: Kevin Carter, DE (TEN); Damion Cook, G (CLE); Mario Edwards, CB (TB); Heath Evans, FB (SEA); Gus Frerotte, QB (MIN); Vonnie Holliday, DE (KC); Tebucky Jones, S (NO); Stockar McDougle, T (DET); Donnie Spagan, LB (DEN); Tavares Tillman, S (CAR).
* Goodbye: Patrick Surtain, CB (KC); David Boston, WR; Jay Fiedler, QB (NYJ); Arturo Freeman, S; Morlon Greenwood, LB (HOU); Sammy Knight, S (KC); Rob Konrad, FB; James Newson, WR; Bryan Robinson, DT (CIN); Jay Williams, DE (STL); Shawn Wooden, S.
* Strategy: The Dolphins are flirting with the idea of trading their No. 2 pick, possibly to Tampa Bay, which would like to move up from No. 5 and grab a quarterback. If they swap spots with the Buccaneers, the Dolphins can still get an outstanding running back.
* Prospects they're eyeing: RB Carnell Williams (Auburn), Ronnie Brown (Auburn), Cedric Benson (Texas); WR Braylon Edwards (Michigan), Mike Williams (USC).
*
AFC North
*--* PITTSBURGH (15-1)
*--*
* Areas of need: CB, G, OLB, DT, TE.
* Hello: Marco Battaglia, TE (CAR); Cedrick Wilson, WR (SF).
* Goodbye: Kendrell Bell, LB (KC); Plaxico Burress, WR (NYG); Kendrick Clancy, DT (NYG); Jay Riemersma, TE; Oliver Ross, T (ARI); Chad Scott, CB; Keydrick Vincent, G (BAL).
* Strategy: With the 30th pick, the Steelers have time to sit tight and see who falls to them. They probably won't move up in the first round and they don't have a lot of pressing needs. In recent weeks, they've been bringing in rookie offensive line prospects and that's the way they might go. They also need a cover corner, someone who can eventually step in for 35-year-old Willie Williams.
* Prospects they're eyeing: T/G Marcus Johnson (Mississippi), Jammal Brown (Oklahoma), Elton Brown (Virginia); OLB Darryl Blackstock (Virginia).
*--* BALTIMORE (9-7)
*--*
* Areas of need: OLB, OT, WR, CB, FS, DT.
* Hello: Derrick Mason, WR (TEN); Tommy Polley, LB (STL); Samari Rolle, CB (TEN); Keydrick Vincent, G (PIT).
* Goodbye: Bennie Anderson, G (BUF); Gary Baxter, CB (CLE); Marques Douglas, DE (SF); Corey Fuller, CB; Ed Hartwell, LB (ATL); Kevin Johnson, WR (DET); Harold Morrow, FB; Casey Rabach, C (WAS); Travis Taylor, WR (MIN); Jamel White, RB (DET).
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