Defense will remain Bengals' focus

Originally Published: April 8, 2005
Scouts Inc.
Every NFL team goes into the draft with a to-do list based on its needs, draft position and willingness to trade up or down. Our scouts have been doing their homework and present an early look at the most likely scenarios each team will face on draft day. Below is a breakdown of the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens | Top 5 needs

Executive vice president and general manager Ozzie Newsome elected not to replace Phil Savage, who took on the role of general manager of the Browns this offseason. Newsome has been one of the league's most successful front-office officials in recent years and still has good support in pro personnel director George Kokinis and college scouting director Eric DeCosta.

However, Savage is widely considered one of the best in the business in terms of scouting college players and setting up a board, so it will be interesting to see if the organization remains as successful on draft weekend.

The Ravens made a significant upgrade at wide receiver with the free-agency acquisition of Derrick Mason. However, after letting Travis Taylor (Vikings) go, the position remains a significant need as the Ravens head into the draft. Using one of their first two picks (Nos. 22 and 53) on an upper-echelon receiver prospect is a must, as the team cannot head into the season with Clarence Moore as its No. 2 and Devard Darling as its No. 3.


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