AFC East

Buffalo – The big need Buffalo has is at tight end. It feels like I write this every year with this article, but they’ve been looking for a pass catching tight end for about 15 years now. The Bills have been connected with Brandon Pettigrew by many folks. A pass rusher is also a huge priority, as the Bills were 28th in sacks last year. Admittedly, Aaron Schobel’s injury played a role there, but this was probably a need even before Schobel went down. If Penn State’s Aaron Maybin is on the board in round 1, he would be hard to turn down.

With TO getting double teamed a reliable TE makes a ton of sense for the Bills.

Miami – The Dolphins have serious needs at cornerback and to a lesser extent, at LB. They were heavily reliant on Joey Porter to bring the pass rush last year, and would like to add another pass rusher, probably at OLB. Lucky for the Dolphins, who have three picks between #25 and 53, this draft is packed with 3-4 OLB types, like Cincy’s Connor Barwin, Northern Illinois’ Larry English, Virginia’s Clint Sintim and many others. The Dolphins have been connected with Connecticut CB Darius Butler and might take him in round 1 or 2. Wide receiver is a lesser need, and the Dolphins have shown serious interest in Florida’s Percy Harvin.

New England – The defense has been getting steadily older and while they’ve helped that somewhat, it’s an area they’ll continue to address. Larry English might be very hard for them to pass up in round 1. Their running game was also very poor last year, and it looks more and more like Laurence Maroney is not the answer. There are a lot of quality backs in the late first to second round area, like OSU’s Beanie Wells, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno, Pitt’s LeSean McCoy and Donald Brown. The Pats have multiple picks in the first two rounds and could go there.

New York Jets – They’ve been searching for a QB all offseason, and if they don’t land Jay Cutler, they will probably look for a QB high in the draft. USC QB Mark Sanchez would be a great pickup for them, and there are also many rumors that they’ll be in on Kansas State’s Josh Freeman, who’s shooting up the draft board. A run-stuffer up front will probably be a priority as well, since Kris Jenkins wore out as the year went on.

AFC North

Baltimore –The Ravens have been shredded in free agency this offseason. Corey Ivy, Jim Leonhard, Samari Rolle, Bart Scott, Chris McAllister and Jason Brown are all gone. They kept Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, but this offseason is just about plugging holes. Look for the Ravens to hit the secondary often on draft day, with LB a priority as well.

Cincinnati –They lost TJ Houshmandzadeh and Stacey Andrews, two of their best, in free agency. A healthy Carson Palmer would cure a lot of ills; with him throwing to Chad Johnson and Laveraneus Coles, the Bengals still have the firepower to stay in any game. A defender who can make big plays would be welcome. Any position would do; the Bengals had just 17 sacks and 12 interceptions last year, putting them near the bottom of the league in both. OT is a need as well, and the Bengals might well take Virginia’s Eugene Monroe in round 1.

Cleveland – The trade of Kellen Winslow makes tight end a potential need, but the Browns badly need a pass rushing OLB, so they’ll probably be shopping for a TE later in the draft. They’d love Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry, though he’s probably gone by #5. Texas DE/OLB Brian Orakpo might be the pick, as might Maybin.

Pittsburgh – The Steelers seem to have a long-standing, and frankly, rather sensible motto on draft day: when in doubt, take an offensive lineman. The defending champs don’t have a ton of needs, but they’d surely like to beef up the middle of their offensive line, which performed poorly all season. Cal C Alex Mack might go a long way to that end at the end of round 1. Cornerback might also be a consideration, as they lost Bryant McFadden in free agency.

AFC South

Houston – The Texans are a team on the rise, and are well set at most key positions. However, their run defense was unimpressive last year, and apart from Mario Williams, they didn’t have much success getting to the opposing QB. Ole Miss DT Peria Jerry might be a slight reach at 15, but they’d have to consider him. USC LB Brian Cushing might be an option as well, as he and DeMeco Ryans would be one heck of a tandem at LB.

Indianapolis – The Colts have had problems stopping the run roughly as long as Buffalo has had a hard time getting the ball to their tight end. Missouri DT Evander Hood makes a ton of sense for the Colts if he’s on the board in round 1. They might also consider North Carolina WR Hakeem Nicks, to help replace Marvin Harrison, though that’s not a pressing need, given how well Anthony Gonzalez has played.

Jacksonville – I hate their wide receivers. In fact, I think I’ve hated their wide receivers ever since Jimmy Smith went downhill. And I’m pretty sure they hate their wide receivers, too; Matt Jones has been cut, Jerry Porter probably would be if they didn’t get stuck with a huge cap hit, Troy Williamson has no business on an NFL roster and Reggie Williams ends up in the doghouse every season. Suffice to say, I think they’ll hit that area hard in this draft. Texas Tech superstar Michael Crabtree will probably be gone by 8, but Missouri’s do-everything Jeremy Maclin might be there for them. Boston College DT BJ Raji is a fallback option, as they have a need opposite John Henderson.

Tennessee – Another team with a need at wide receiver, though the addition of Nate Washington helps that somewhat. The loss of Albert Haynesworth will need to be addressed in this draft and the aforementioned Hood might be an option at 30, as might Boston College DT Ron Brace. The Titans could look for help at corner, which is very deep in the late first-second round area. Utah CB Sean Smith might be someone they’d look at too.

AFC West

Denver – You wouldn’t think they’d need a QB, but somehow, the Broncos managed to screw up a perfectly good situation there. Sanchez has to be considered a serious option for this team if/when they trade Jay Cutler. Picking any quality LB or DL would be fine, too. The Broncos might have the worst front seven in football.

Kansas City – The table’s hot and the Chiefs are on a roll. Getting Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel for a second round pick was great value, and I liked the move to get Bobby Engram, too. There’s a good chance they take Aaron Curry at the third overall pick, though Orakpo might merit consideration if Curry’s gone.

Zach Miller - Reliable Raider?

Oakland – Their wide receivers are awful, and I think almost every mock draft I’ve seen has them taking Maclin in round 1, and with good reason: it makes plenty of sense. Their offensive line is in a shambles, so they’ll look to address that in the draft too. If Monroe somehow falls to them, they’d have to grab him, Al Davis’ love of fast receivers notwithstanding. Ole Miss OT Michael Oher has top 5 talent, but is a head case. Of course, head case status has never scared off the Raiders.

San Diego – Their relationship with LaDainian Tomlinson appears to be nearing its end, and picking at 16, they should have their pick of the RB class, so that’s a real option. The long-term future might be Darren Sproles teaming with a bigger back, and if that’s the case, a runner in round 1 probably doesn’t make sense. The loss of Igor Olshansky could lead them to go for a 3-4 DE in round 1, like LSU’s Tyson Jackson, and their interior offensive line is getting on in years, so that might be a priority in the middle rounds.