NFL Draft analysis

NFC East

Arizona Cardinals
The Cards put the franchise tag on disgruntled DE Simeon Rice which guarantees them two No. 1 picks as compensation should he sign elsewhere. They may look to trade him for less before the NFL Draft. They have 15 unrestricted free agents and a nice cushion under the cap. Their main needs and strategy will revolve around the draft with needs on both lines and a feature back their biggest openings.

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys hope to catch lightning with the trade for speedy wideout Joey Galloway. He cost them two No. 1 picks over the next two drafts. Galloway gives them a home run hitter to couple with Rocket Ismail. Their defense has lost LB Randall Godfrey with corner Deion Sanders expected to be released after June 1. They need to re-sign DL Alonzo Spellman on a unit with pressing needs at cornerback and linebacker.

New York Giants
The Giants cut several players to get under the salary cap, including runner Gary Brown and center Brian Williams. The club is looking to re-sign nickel corner Conrad Hamilton, but they will also pursue a veteran corner with Aaron Beasley and Ryan McNeil possibilities. The Giants will rely on the draft to meet their biggest needs with a feature runner and offensive lineman their trouble areas.

The Eagles filled a huge need with the signing of OT Jon Runyan. (AP)

Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles addressed one of their major needs on offense with the addition of right OT Jon Runyan. They will also focus on a defensive lineman with Sam Adams, Gilbert Brown and Tim Brandt all receiving big offers. Their nine free agents are all second-tier players who will receive little interest around the league and could re-sign for less money for next season.

Washington Redskins
The Redskins were quick to sign DE Bruce Smith for their battered defense and also added S Mark Carrier. Their defense will be their prime focus this off-season in both free agency and the NFL Draft where they hold three No. 1 picks including the second overall selection. They may trade franchise runner Stephen Davis -- there are indications they are interested in Barry Sanders. Rumor also has it they may be interested in Deion Sanders after June 1.

NFC Central

Chicago Bears
The Bears were quick to land DE Phillip Daniels and CB Thomas Smith for their struggling defense. They are not done yet and will look to add a safety with Jerome Woods, Marcus Robertson and Percy Ellsworth at the head of the list. They hope to re-sign wideout Bobby Engram with veteran receiver Curtis Conway expected to sign elsewhere.

Detroit Lions
The Lions addressed their biggest need when they quickly signed hard-running James Stewart. They franchised DE Robert Porcher and have no intention of trading the game's most complete outside defender. Safety Mark Carrier's departure to Washington leaves an opening in the secondary. Retired runner Barry Sanders was forced to return 1/6 of his signing bonus, which may be the start of trade possibilities.

Green Bay Packers
The Packers tried to land an impact defender in DE Chuck Smith but settled for DE John Thierry when talks broke down. They could lose both DT Gilbert Brown and DE Keith McKenzie in free agency. They hope to re-sign center Frank Winters, but only at a reasonable number.

Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have made many changes in both personnel and their coaching staff this off-season. They lost center Jeff Christy while All-Pro guard Randall McDaniel was asked to retire. They have huge needs in the secondary at cornerback and on the front four. Re-signing Duane Clemons will be difficult and they hope to land a veteran like DE Chuck Smith.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are looking for a veteran passer to backup young Shaun King. Veterans Jim Miller, Jay Fiedler and Gus Frerotte are all candidates. Left tackle is a high priority this off-season and they will talk with both Roman Oben and Tony Jones. They will also pursue Willie Roaf as a trade possibility. They added center Jeff Christy which most likely ends Tony Mayberry's stay in Tampa.

NFC West

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were quick to sign wideout Shawn Jefferson and CB Ashley Ambrose to their biggest problem areas. Ambrose will couple with Ray Buchanan again as the starting corners -- they have earlier experience together from their days with the Colts. The Falcons have failed to re-sign DEs Chuck Smith and Lester Archambeau.

Carolina Panthers
The Panthers continued to address their front four with the addition of DE Jay Williams. They may not be done along the line and could also add a veteran linebacker. They re-signed wideout Muhsin Muhammad who had a breakout season in '99. They are also interested in adding an offensive lineman and defensive back, but the salary cap will dictate who and when.

New Orleans Saints
The Saints begin a new regime with the addition of veteran QB Jeff Blake to direct their offense. They also added a legitimate deep threat in speedy WR Joe Horn. They lost corner Ashley Ambrose but quickly added veteran Fred Thomas as a replacement. They will need to address the secondary several more times this off-season, especially in the draft. They hope to re-sign DE Brady Smith, but could trade veteran left tackle Willie Roaf for the right offer.

St. Louis Rams
The world champion Rams took several early hits in free agency with the loss of OT Fred Miller and DE Jay Williams. They look to re-sign Pro Bowl corner Todd Lyght as their top priority. They will entertain offers for QB Trent Green, but have indicated they will retain the young veteran. He would command at least a first round pick in April's NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have slashed many players again this off-season to get under the salary cap. They hope to renegotiate with both QB Steve Young and WR Jerry Rice to allow them to re-sign some of the released players. They have many needs and will have to address most of them through the draft. They hold the third overall pick and will entertain all offers to move back for extra top selections.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL mini-camps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.