Here is a look at the needs of the AFC teams and some possible solutions:

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

The hole: Alex Van Pelt is being paid around $1 million a year to be either the backup or the starting quarterback, but new offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride cannot live with just one quarterback. That's why Gilbride and the Bills management walked around the combine over the weekend looking for agents who had quarterbacks, as well as checking out all of the quarterbacks who were throwing in the RCA Dome. The solutions: It's pretty simple. Sign Jeff Blake. For some reason, the Bills are wondering if Blake has a lingering ankle problem from the 2000 season. He's had a year on the sidelines as Aaron Brooks' backup to rest the ankle, so he should be fine. Blake and Jonathan Quinn are the two veterans the Bills are talking to, but Blake is the right fit.

Miami Dolphins

The hole: The Dolphins need more consistency from the halfback position. Lamar Smith's rushing average dropped to 3.1 yards per carry and his contract has expired. After re-signing quarterback Jay Fiedler, the Dolphins need to improve the running game and try to get more production at the tight end position. The solutions: They've already offered a first-round pick and more for Ricky Williams, but if that fails, they will have to go for other options. They've called about Eagles halfback Duce Staley in a trade and could bring in Garrison Hearst and Warrick Dunn. But the inside running of Williams is the perfect fit for this offense.

New England Patriots

The hole: Bill Belichick may have won a Super Bowl with mirrors, but to improve as an offense, the Patriots need a tight end. New England's tight ends only caught 19 passes last year. For a quarterback such as Tom Brady who loves to throw short, finding the right tight end is critical. He can give Brady a good option in the middle of the field. The solutions: Like most teams, the Patriots seem to be hot on Pro Bowl tight end Ken Dilger, who has been beat up from years of service but is a complete tight end. The good news for Belichick is that there are great tight ends on the market and the draft is rich at the position.

New York Jets

The hole: Jason Ferguson's lost season at defensive tackle because of injury left a hole in the middle of the run defense the Jets couldn't patch. They brought in Steve Martin from the Chiefs and he helped a little bit, but the Jets surrendered 2,154 rushing yards, a 4.5 average and 15 touchdowns. Martin is a free agent and the Jets cut Shane Burton. That's a big hole. The solutions: Ferguson should be back as the run stopper, but the Jets seem to be focused on getting Josh Evans from the Titans. Evans is solid on the run and can give them a little pass rush. Cap space is tight because the Jets are filling as many as five or six starting jobs on defense. Still, it all starts up front.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

The hole: Don't have enough space to describe all of the holes. The biggest need is at quarterback. Unfortunately, the Ravens don't have enough cap room to do much with the position. Brian Billick wants to give Chris Redman the chance to start and bring back Randall Cunningham as an insurance policy. Billick says they will be in the June market for a veteran quarterback. The solutions: The only quarterback coming free in June is Charlie Batch. He may not be athletic enough to be the model West Coast offense quarterback, but he looked decent in his first season in three- and five-step drops. If Chris Chandler doesn't have a job by June, he would be a great second option.

Cincinnati Bengals

The hole: The Bengals have been drafting and signing cornerbacks for years, yet they are always in the market for that shutdown cornerback. Their efforts have failed. They finished last season with an undrafted rookie, Kevin Kaesviharn, and a free-agent veteran, Artrell Hawkins, as their starting cornerbacks. The solutions: Duane Starks of the Ravens would be the perfect solution but the Bengals can't entice the top free agents. Usually, agents use the Bengals to get bigger dollars from other teams. The solution would be maneuvering their first-round draft choice to pick Quentin Jammer of Texas.

Cleveland Browns

The hole: Tim Couch has been through two sets of offensive lines the past two years, and now it's time to settle down and get a consistent line together. Gone are Jeremy McKinney and Roman Oben, so all the Browns have left is Ross Verba and Dave Wohlabaugh. The solutions: Free agency again is the answer. Victor Riley would give them some bulk at right tackle. Mike Wahle of the Packers would help with their versatility. In the draft, they could add one more.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The hole: This isn't the team that has everything, but they are in pretty good shape. Re-signing Jason Gildon for $23 million over five years may have cost them inside linebacker Earl Holmes, who is seeking a $4 million-plus contract. John Fiala was re-signed for insurance in the middle, but the team has to be prepared to find outside linebacker help if they can't reach a long-term deal with restricted free agent Joey Porter. The solutions: Wait. Do nothing. If Holmes can't find the right market, he may be able to return. Start negotiating with Porter and come to a deal by July. If things look bleak on the negotiating front, they could use the draft to stockpile linebackers.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

The hole: It's a matter of priority and general manager Charley Casserly has taken care of a lot of needs in the expansion draft and seems set to select quarterback David Carr in the April draft. That leaves the most important opening on defense -- outside linebacker. To be a good 3-4 scheme, the defense needs an outside linebacker who can rush the passer and drop into coverage. The solutions: This has to be a two-tiered attack. In free agency, they should sign either Kailee Wong of the Vikings, Keith Newman of the Bills or Warrick Holdman of the Bears. The next move is to get one out of the draft in the second or third rounds.

Indianapolis Colts

The hole: Even though the Colts need an impact player on the defensive line, their biggest need is finding a cornerback to help in pass protection. In the past two years, they've released Tyrone Poole and Jeff Burris and they are down to young David Macklin. Fortunately, Tony Dungy's defensive scheme protects cornerbacks by allowing them to play in zone. The solutions: The Jets are looking for the same thing as the Colts, so they will be competing for Donnie Abraham in a trade or Brian Kelly in free agency. Either one works, but Kelly would be the better choice because he's young and wouldn't cost a draft choice that could be used on defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The hole: The Jaguars built their team on the offensive and defensive lines, and salary cap excesses have forced them to restock the starters. The biggest need is a left tackle to replace Tony Boselli. The problem is there is very little available in free agency. The solutions: Re-sign left tackle Todd Fordham. Draft either tackle Mike Williams from Texas or Bryant McKinnie from Miami.

Tennessee Titans

The hole: The Titans could lose defensive tackles Jason Fisk and Josh Evans but they also need a good safety in this system. Blaine Bishop was a cap casualty but he was the heart of the defense. Finding that guy in the secondary to be a leader is important. The solutions: There best safety on the market was Robert Griffith, but he was snatched up by the Browns. Getting Bishop back wouldn't be such a bad option.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

The hole: The Broncos need an outside pass rush. They got only four sacks out of starting defensive ends Keith Washington and Kavika Pittman. The problem is finding the right pass-rushing defensive end for their 4-3. The solutions: Now that Leonard Little has re-signed with the Rams, the Broncos have two options. They can wait until the draft or wait until someone like Mike McCrary becomes available in June. There is no guarantee McCrary will be cut, but he's a pass-rusher who can help. In the meantime, they should explore the availability of former Chiefs outside linebacker Donnie Edwards.

Kansas City Chiefs

The hole: Dick Vermeil got off to a good start at fixing the wide receiver position by resurrecting Eddie Kennison's career and signing CFL star Marc Boerighter. That's not enough. They need more weapons for quarterback Trent Green. The solutions: Maybe it's too late, but they need to top Green Bay's offers on Terry Glenn and acquire him. He's the perfect quick receiver for that offer. Az-Zahir Hakim would fit in nicely as a quick play-maker, but he still isn't a starter and that's why the Chiefs might not pay him $3 million a year.

Oakland Raiders

The hole: Darrell Russell is on a one-year drug suspension. Grady Jackson is unsigned. Who's going to play defensive tackle? That's a big question, and the Raiders need a big body to get the answer. The good news is that there are some good veterans available who could help. The solutions: Sign former Ravens defensive tackle Sam Adams and re-sign Jackson. They have already signed Chargers defensive tackle John Parrella. He's a great run stopper. The other bonus is that the Raiders have two first-round choices to maneuver to get Albert Haynesworth, Wendell Bryant or Ryan Sims in the first round of the draft.

San Diego Chargers

The hole: The Chargers have a big hole in the middle of their offensive line. Raleigh Roundtree, Kendyl Jacox and DeMingo Graham are all free agents. It's hard to run an offense without a solid interior. The solutions: They need to re-sign Jacox at center or bring in Cory Raymer from the Redskins. They can be patient at guard because teams in tight cap years don't give big dollars to guards. Ron Stone, Chris Naeole, Dave Szott and others are still available.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.