[Chief Rum]

I'll go into the actual draft in a bit. First I wanted to talk a little about my strategy going into this one. It should be noted that I got a late third rounder from the Cowboys for DE Dennis Johnson last year, so I actually have eight picks in this draft.

Here's my position-by-position look.

QB If I can get a guy with a lot more upside than my current third and fourth quarterbacks, then this might be an area I address. It's not a high priority, though--I know the kind of long term QB I need isn't in this draft.

RB This is my #1 need, and in fact didn't go after any backs because I was hoping Muncy would fall to me. We'll see. It's a virtual certainty I will pick a back in this draft, although I don't know if I would do it right away if Muncy is gone when I pick.

FB This might be an area I will address, but I am not overly concerned about it. I am happy with Hodgins, and my only purpose in picking up a back here would be to avoid the problems I had last year when Hodgins went down. So a quality backup would be the only possibility here.

TE After Bush and Jones, I don't like my tight ends. And I am eventually going to have to allow one of the vets to go because it's too expensive to keep them both. That makes getting someone in place to eventually be a #2 TE at least is a somewhat of a need area.

WR I am generally satisfied with my receivers, but I could use a solid fourth guy. If one becomes available, I might take a chance on him.

C I let my backup center go. I am going to have to pick up another one to backup Kendall.

G I might pick up a guard. I have ones in place, but I am not sure Fiore is a long term answer or that Hodges will eventually reach good enough potential to start.

T The game would have you believe this is a need area, and it probably is. But time should help with that. Right now, I have five tackles, two of them recent signees. So this doesn't look like a position I will be looking to add anyone.

P/K It would have to be a no one else of value situation. I have a kicker and a punter, and I just don't see the positions as ones I need to draft players for.

DE I doubt this is an area I will address, even if the game thinks it's a need area. As I have siad before, I have young players here that just need time to develop. I also have ready backups in place.

DT I might get a DT to move into the backup rotation at the psoition, but I don't think I will look for it unless I am satisfied with other areas.

ILB Darling did fairly well as a backup ILB, but he is one of my weakest backups. If the right guy comes along, I might pick him to replace Darling. But since I have Darling in place already, other areas will need to be taken care of before I would consider someone here.

OLB I remain dissatisfied with my weakside linebacker, as neither Woods nor Fisher are certain to be the answer there, and current starter Hayes is actually a strongside backer (and better suited there). I may look to draft a guy to work into the backup spot with Woods and be an heir apparent at the spot.

CB I am pretty happy with the free agent corners I picked up, but given Buchanan's age, I may look to add a fifth corner for depth and to eventually move into the regular rotation.

S I can't do much better than my top three, but I need four safeties, so this figures to be an area I will use a pick.

CR