Free Agency Priorities

Cornerback 

They added two young cornerbacks through the draft, but they should resign the veteran Ike Taylor as well. If they don’t, they need to find a veteran replacement or even two while the young cornerbacks develop. 

Guard

Right guard was a position that they didn’t address through the draft until late. Maybe they’ll find someone through free agency. They could also resign Willie Colon and move him inside to guard.

 

Draft Needs 

Guard

Big Ben won’t be able to play into his late 30s like Favre did or like Brady and Manning (barring a freak injury) will, if he keeps taking all these hits. Chris Kemoeatu is a keeper, but they need a new right guard.

Drafted Keith Williams (#196) 

Offensive Tackle

More offensive line help. Willie Colon is solid, but a free agent. If he’s resigned, he might be best off at guard as a mauling blocker, but that would leave them needing two new tackles for the future. Jonathan Scott sucks and Flozell Adams is in a contract year in 2011 and he turns 36 in May. He’s a stopgap and nothing more.

Drafted Marcus Gilbert (#63) 

Cornerback

Bryant McFadden had a good contract year in 2008 with Pittsburgh and landed a nice deal in Arizona. He got to Arizona and sucked. Pittsburgh thought they could revive him in their scheme and traded for him. He still sucked. They need a new starter opposite Ike Taylor.

Drafted Curtis Brown (#95), Drafted Cortez Allen (#128) 

3-4 Defensive End

Other than Evander Hood, their top 3 defensive ends are all over 30. They like to build for the future so it might be time to look at future replacements for the soon to be 33 year old Brent Kiesel.

Drafted Cameron Heyward (#31) 

Nose Tackle

Still looking towards the future, Casey Hampton turns 34 in September.

Middle Linebacker

Looking towards the future again. James Farrior is 36 while backup Larry Foote turns 31 in June. Foote can start if Farrior retires soon, but they need someone for the future.