We've been through the various non-needs, tertiary needs and overarching needs of the Buffalo Bills throughout the day today. To wrap things up, all we need to do is go over my Top 5 needs for the Bills with respect to the immediate future. Without further ado:
1. Defensive End: The pass rush is the obvious need. The less subtle need is for players that can legitimately play defensive end - with the strength and range to defend the run and rush the passer in the new 4-3 alignment. Expect the team to continue to seek bigger guys, but there's virtually nothing on the depth chart here.
2. Wide Receiver: Even with a Stevie Johnson re-signing looking more likely, this is a major need. In Johnson and David Nelson, the Bills have two players with defined roles - and that's about it. They need more size and they need more speed - and if they can find both of those traits in one guy (or even two), they'll be made in the shade.
3. Offensive Tackle: There are two players the team likes on the roster (Erik Pears, Chris Hairston), and a third (Demetrius Bell) that they'd like to re-sign. Pears is solely a right tackle, Hairston's development regressed as a rookie, and Bell has a well-documented injury history. Clarity and depth are needs at this position.
4. Cornerback: After Terrence McGee re-structured his contract, there's a bit more clarity here than there was even two weeks ago. With that said, McGee is still a huge injury liability, Leodis McKelvin has fallen from grace, Drayton Florence is coming off of a bad season, and Aaron Williams is still very raw and may not be ready to step into a starting role. Depth is the big concern, but it'd be nice if the new import(s) could push for a starting gig.
5. Outside Linebacker: In moving back to the 4-3 - and even before that in their 3-4 - the team has a decided lack of speed, fluidity and overall athleticism in their linebacker corps. They need to seriously re-adjust their depth chart, specifically at the outside positions - and if they can find players that can fill against the run and cover, all the better. A starter on the strong side is the most pressing depth chart need.