Team-by-team capsules for the NFL draft April 26-27, in order of selection:

1. Cincinnati (2-14)

LAST SEASON: Went through three quarterbacks in first four games, finished with worst record in franchise history, replaced coach Dick LeBeau with Marvin Lewis.

THEY NEED: CB, OL, a long-term plan at QB.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, LB, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: If they can’t trade it, Carson Palmer, QB, Southern California; Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall; Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State.

OUTLOOK: Better under Lewis, who has more clout than recent predecessors. But owner Mike Brown is still in charge, and the roster needs upgrading that can’t be done in one offseason.

2. Detroit (3-13)

LAST SEASON: Drafted QB Joey Harrington with the third overall pick. He showed promise before struggling and being sidelined with an irregular heartbeat. Coach Marty Mornhinweg was fired after he won just five games in two seasons. Steve Mariucci is the new coach.

THEY NEED: WR, OLB, DB, G.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, OT, ILB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State; Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State; Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State; trade down.

OUTLOOK: Most expect the Lions to draft Rogers, who could be another Randy Moss. But that’s only one step in what remains a major rebuilding project.

3. Houston (4-12)

LAST SEASON: Met or exceeded expectations for an expansion team. Strong defense; impotent offense. Beat two playoff teams (Giants and Steelers), as well as Texas rival Cowboys.

THEY NEED: Offensive playmakers and linemen, defensive depth.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Andre Johnson, WR, Miami; Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State; Jordan Gross, OT, Utah; Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State; trade up or down.

OUTLOOK: Pick was supposed to be Willis McGahee, RB Miami, until he blew out his left knee. Now their options are wide open.

4. Chicago (4-12)

LAST SEASON: Major fade after a 13-3 season, due in part to injuries and QB failures.

THEY NEED: Defense and QB of the future to succeed newly signed Kordell Stewart.

THEY DON’T NEED: WR, PK.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State; Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State; Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky.

OUTLOOK: Most problems last year stemmed from injuries, so they’re not as bad off as they might seem. They’ll get a boost from refurbished Soldier Field, too. But they need a pass rush.

5. Dallas (5-11)

LAST YEAR: Defense is solid, but offense was in bottom three of NFL, and team finished last in NFC East for third straight year. Coach Dave Campo was fired and replaced by Bill Parcells.

THEY NEED: RB to challenge Troy Hambrick as Emmitt Smith’s replacement; CB depth; pass-rushing DE; QB.

THEY DON’T NEED: LB, starting WR.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State; Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State; or trade down to add to eight picks they already have.

OUTLOOK: Parcells, who has taken three teams to the playoffs, wants to instill discipline and strength. Cowboys have to find some offense and determine if Chad Hutchinson will be the answer at QB.

6. Arizona (5-11)

LAST SEASON: Went into tailspin after flurry of injuries. A weak defense got weaker as the weeks wore on. The Cardinals let QB Jake Plummer and WR David Boston leave, and will have new look on offense with RB Emmitt Smith and QB Jeff Blake.

THEY NEED: DL, WR, CB, LB, perhaps a young QB.

THEY DON’T NEED: OL, RB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State; Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State; may trade down and pick Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State.

OUTLOOK: Addition of Smith looks more like PR move, and the team has no experience at WR. Rod Graves, now in charge of personnel, is determined to upgrade one of NFL’s worst defenses, especially anemic pass rush. Popular coach Dave McGinnis knows more success is necessary to keep his job, even with the always-struggling Cardinals.

7. Minnesota (6-10)

LAST SEASON: Won final three games of Mike Tice’s first season to finish second in weak NFC North.

THEY NEED: Defense. They began addressing it in free agency with CB Denard Walker and LB Chris Claiborne. Still need DL, CB. Could also use a WR opposite Randy Moss because Derrick Alexander, who took pay cut to return, was a bust in 2002.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, RB, OL, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky; Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State; Andre Johnson, WR, Miami; Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State; Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings think they’ve built some momentum with their finish and free-agent pickups and hope to contend for the playoffs. A top-notch interior lineman could be a big boost.

8. Jacksonville (6-10)

LAST SEASON: Tom Coughlin squeezed a lot out of a roster lacking talent and speed, but ended up getting fired and replaced by Jack Del Rio.

THEY NEED: WR, OL, CB, QB.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, MLB, pass rusher.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Jordan Gross, OT, Utah; Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State; trade up for Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State, or Andre Johnson, WR, Miami.

OUTLOOK: Del Rio and new personnel director James Harris have made lots of moves to upgrade this roster, such as signing LB Mike Peterson and DE Hugh Douglas. It means Jaguars can draft best player available, almost regardless of position. They also think they’ll contend next season.

9. Carolina (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Much improved from 1-15 season in 2001. Defense showed most improvement, rising to No. 2 overall in the league.

THEY NEED: QB, OL to protect recent additions and help establish running game.

THEY DON’T NEED: DL.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall; Kyle Boller, QB, California; Kwame Harris, OT, Stanford; Jordan Gross, OT, Utah.

OUTLOOK: Panthers have turned attention to offense, signing QB Jake Delhomme, WRs Kevin Dyson and Ricky Proehl and RB Stephen Davis. Still need a first-rate QB.

10. Baltimore (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Plagued by salary-cap issues, the Ravens released several key starters and lost LB Ray Lewis to injury, yet still made a run at the playoffs before losing final two games.

THEY NEED: The departure of Jeff Blake and the uncertain health of Chris Redman leaves the Ravens in need of a QB. DL, WR, OL depth.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, DB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall; Kyle Boller, QB, California; Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky; trade down is possible.

OUTLOOK: The Ravens have been incredibly successful in first round: Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Chris McAlister and Todd Heap are recent picks. May be ready to contend again.

11. Seattle (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Third in NFC West.

THEY NEED: DL, MLB, K. Needs help in middle of defense.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB and other skill positions, OL.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State; Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State; Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State.

OUTLOOK: The Seahawks are stocked with a talented young offense, built in the last four drafts. Now, they must improve a defense that was the NFL’s worst against the run and 28th overall.

12 St. Louis (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Rams let a Super Bowl hangover linger way too long and were slowed by injuries to several top stars, falling from 14-2 to 7-9.

THEY NEED: LB, CB.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, WR.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State, or Boss Bailey, LB, Georgia.

OUTLOOK: The clock is ticking on group headed by QB Kurt Warner and RB Marshall Faulk, both hampered by injuries last season. CB Aeneas Williams also is coming off a career-threatening ankle injury. Urgent to return to prominence after last season’s free fall.

13, 22. New York Jets (9-7)

LAST SEASON: After 2-5 start, rallied to make playoffs and win AFC East, then routed Colts in first round before losing at Oakland. Discovered a quarterback in Chad Pennington.

THEY NEED: Hurt by free agency departures at WR (Laveranues Coles), LB (James Darling) and G (Randy Thomas), they must find a wideout, a speedy LB and some help on both lines. Plus a KR to replace Chad Morton, awarded to Redskins by arbitrator.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, RB, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Boss Bailey, LB, Georgia; E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland; Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida. Also could package picks to move up.

OUTLOOK: Jets got burned by losing Coles, but they can fill some big holes with their two first-round picks. The rest of AFC East has improved in free agency, so they must get better through the draft.

14, 19. New England (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Won first three games after their Super Bowl title, then struggled. Missed the playoffs on last weekend on a tiebreaker.

THEY NEED: Improvement in running game and stopping run. A tall WR, a solid OL and a DT to allow Richard Seymour to move to DE.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, S, pass rusher.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Johnathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia; Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State; package the two picks to trade up.

OUTLOOK: Improved defense by signing free agents Rosevelt Colvin, a pass-rushing LB, and S Rodney Harrison. Hope for continued improvement from Tom Brady in his third year as starting QB and a better season from RB Antowain Smith.

15. San Diego (8-8)

LAST SEASON: After 6-1 start, lost seven of last nine under new coach Marty Schottenheimer to miss playoffs for seventh straight year. LB Junior Seau and SS Rodney Harrison shown the door after defense finished 30th overall.

THEY NEED: DL, OL, DB, WR.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, QB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State; Troy Polamalu, S, Southern California; Johnathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia.

OUTLOOK: Front office must carry on after GM John Butler, one of NFL’s top talent evaluators, died of cancer. Butler had two strong drafts, starting with RB LaDainian Tomlinson and QB Drew Brees two years ago. Assistant GM A.J. Smith will run draft.

16. Kansas City (8-8)

LAST SEASON: Last on defense, fourth on offense, which tells it all.

THEY NEED: Defense and backup RB. They can’t afford an injury to RB Priest Holmes, who underwent hip surgery in offseason.

THEY DON’T NEED: Much help on offense.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Trade down; Andre Woolfolk, DB, Oklahoma; Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State.

OUTLOOK: Signing DE Vonnie Holliday capped an aggressive campaign to upgrade defense. Now Chiefs have more flexibility in draft. GM Carl Peterson likes idea of trading down to get an extra pick.

17, 18. New Orleans (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Opened season 6-1, then stumbled late for the second year in a row and missed playoffs.

THEY NEED: Defensive help, although trade for S Tebucky Jones will help.

THEY DON’T NEED: TE since signing free agent Ernie Conwell; RB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Andre Woolfolk, CB Oklahoma; Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State; E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland.

OUTLOOK: Without ex-GM Randy Mueller, the Saints were less active in free agency. With consecutive first-round picks, they hope to help the defense and add speed to the secondary. The offense set team records last season, while the defense struggled.

20. Denver (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Broncos ranked third in total offense and sixth in defense. But after a 6-2 start, they went 3-5, including two overtime losses. QB Brian Griese was made the scapegoat. Signed QB Jake Plummer on March 5 and indicated they will release Griese after June 1.

THEY NEED: A pass-rushing DE, OL, CB.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB; QB — Plummer signed a seven-year, $40 million deal and veteran Steve Beuerlein agreed to return for another season as the backup.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Chris Kelsay, DE, Nebraska.

OUTLOOK: Coach Mike Shanahan thinks only a few changes are necessary to restore team to playoff status. Better QB play and another solid year by RB Clinton Portis, the Offensive Rookie of the Year, could get them there.

21. Cleveland (9-7)

LAST SEASON: After 2-4 start, Browns won seven of 10 to make playoffs for first time since returning in 1999. Then, blew 17-point lead and lost to Pittsburgh in first round.

THEY NEED: Following second-half playoff meltdown, coach Butch Davis gutted defense, allowing LBs Dwayne “What-happened-to-my-helmet?” Rudd and Earl Holmes and CB Corey Fuller to leave.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB: have two in Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb; RB William Green, last year’s first-round pick, could be future star.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland; William Joseph, DT, Miami; Eric Steinbach, G, Iowa; trade down.

OUTLOOK: Only thing Davis likes better than wins are draft picks, so don’t be surprised if Browns trade down and pick up another Day 1 pick, perhaps another second-rounder.

23. Buffalo (8-8)

LAST SEASON: With Drew Bledsoe running the offense, Bills enjoyed an encouraging rebound from 3-13, but patchwork defense struggled.

THEY NEED: Pass-rushing DE and DL depth; S; KR.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, WR, CB, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State; William Joseph, DT, Miami; Kenny Peterson, DT, Ohio State; Ty Warren, DT, Texas A&M.

OUTLOOK: By revamping defense with free-agent LBs Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey, DT Sam Adams, the Bills could be AFC East contenders.

24. Indianapolis (10-6)

LAST SEASON: Tony Dungy’s arrival as coach and a draft in which the Colts went almost exclusively with defensive players made a difference. Defensive rankings improved dramatically and Colts returned to playoffs. But lack of running game and 41-0 playoff loss to Jets exposed holes.

THEY NEED: CB, S, LB, TE.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, QB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Eugene Wilson, CB, Illinois; Andre Woolfolk, CB, Oklahoma; Mike Doss, S, Ohio State.

OUTLOOK: If RB Edgerrin James is healthy, offense remains one of league’s best, and a young defense could again make major strides. To become a Super Bowl contender, though, the Colts need more defense.

25. New York Giants (10-6)

LAST SEASON: Rebuilding on offense finally paid off with rookie TE Jeremy Shockey providing the final physical and emotional lift. Offense carried New York to season-ending four-game winning streak and a 24-point lead over 49ers in the wild-card game before defense collapsed.

THEY NEED: Defense, defense, defense, especially on the line. Could use OL in the second round and depth at cornerback and safety later on.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, RB, WR, TE, or anything on special teams after free-agent signing frenzy.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Traded up in the last two drafts to get CB Will Allen and Shockey. Three times gets them either Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami, or Johnathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia.

OUTLOOK: Offense can carry them. DE Michael Strahan needs some help, especially if DT Keith Hamilton doesn’t make it back from Achilles’ tendon injury. Special teams are solid with P Jeff Feagles, PK Mike Hollis, return man Brian Mitchell and long snapper Ryan Kuehl.

26. San Francisco (10-6)

LAST SEASON: Won NFC West, reached second round of playoffs, still fired coach Steve Mariucci.

THEY NEED: Two starters on DL; legitimate No. 2 receiver; OL help.

THEY DON’T NEED: Impact offensive skill players, LBs.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State; Rien Long, DT, Washington State; Dewayne White, DE, Louisville; Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida.

OUTLOOK: Cloudy, with new coach Dennis Erickson still learning about his team and its mercurial owner, John York. But if 49ers reach offseason goal of signing WR Terrell Owens to lengthy contract, the rest of a young, talented roster will feel much more solid.

27. Pittsburgh (10-5-1)

LAST SEASON: Reached second round of playoffs despite major flaws in secondary, RB Jerome Bettis’ sharp decline and early season QB switch that sent Kordell Stewart to the bench and, eventually, to the Bears.

THEY NEED: DBs, DBs and more DBs, QB, RB, OL.

THEY DON’T NEED: A kicker. Jeff Reed’s strong showing after his mid-November signing and a switch to a new grass-turf mix at Heinz Field means the kicking struggles they’ve had since new stadium opened could be over.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Troy Polamalu, DB, Southern Cal; QB Rex Grossman, Florida.

OUTLOOK: The Steelers traditionally don’t use early round draft picks on QBs or RBs; they’ve drafted only one QB on the first round in 32 years (Mark Malone, 1980) and only one RB in 20 years (Tim Worley, 1989). But QB Tommy Maddox will be 32 this season, likely only a short-time fix at QB and Bettis’ health and production in question, that could change in this draft.

28. Tennessee (11-5)

LAST SEASON: Started 1-4, then won 10 of final 11 behind Steve McNair and reached AFC championship game before falling to Oakland.

THEY NEED: WR, CB, DT, OL.

THEY DON’T NEED: S. The Titans loaded up last year by drafting Tank Williams, who started every game, and signing free agent Lance Schulters.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Jeff Faine, C, Notre Dame, or Andre Woolfolk, CB, Oklahoma. But Kelley Washington, WR, Tennessee could be too tempting to pass up.

OUTLOOK: The Titans feel McNair can be the NFL’s MVP and take them to the Super Bowl they just missed last season if given more help. Serious salary cap decisions next March means their push for the playoffs is now.

29. Green Bay (12-4)

LAST SEASON: Faltered down the stretch once again because they couldn’t stay healthy or stop the run and lost first playoff game to Atlanta at home.

THEY NEED: LB, developmental QB. Some in organization fear this year or next could be Brett Favre’s last.

THEY DON’T NEED: WR, RB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Rex Grossman, QB, Florida; Chris Clemons, LB, Georgia.

OUTLOOK: Avoided a second straight poor offseason by re-signing LB Na’il Diggs and DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Almost all of coach Mike Sherman’s personnel moves before these backfired (Hardy Nickerson, Joe Johnson, Terry Glenn, Jamal Reynolds).

30. Philadelphia (12-4)

LAST SEASON: Won second consecutive NFC East title, but lost conference championship game for second straight year, 27-10, to Tampa Bay in final football game at Veterans Stadium.

THEY NEED: DE to replace departed three-time Pro Bowler Hugh Douglas; LB, WR, TE.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, CB, S.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami; Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State; Jason Witten, TE, Tennessee; Dallas Clark, TE, Iowa; trade up.

OUTLOOK: For first time in recent years, the Eagles appear to have taken step backward because of loss of free agents Douglas, LB Shawn Barber and return specialist Brian Mitchell. But they feel additions of LBs Mark Simoneau and Nate Wayne will offset loss of Barber, and have several young returners waiting to replace Mitchell. Still a threat.

31, 32. Oakland (11-5)

LAST SEASON: Won AFC West, lost Super Bowl to Tampa Bay and Jon Gruden, their old coach.

THEY NEED: Youth and depth at nearly every position, starters on both lines.

THEY DON’T NEED: Impact receivers, CBs.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICKS: Troy Polamalu, S, USC; Willis McGahee, RB, Miami; Kenny Peterson, DL, Ohio State; Larry Johnson, RB, Penn State.

OUTLOOK: Keep getting older, but their veterans have stayed solid long enough to allow younger players to mature. Derrick Gibson and Phillip Buchanon will take big roles in the secondary with the Woodsons this fall.

44. Washington (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Rookie coach Steve Spurrier didn’t have the talent to run his wide-open offense, although defense was solid. Redskins addressed many needs through free agency rather than waiting for draft.

THEY NEED: S, DL, P.

THEY DON’T NEED: WR, CB, OL.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Too late to tell.

OUTLOOK: The Redskins can almost take the weekend off. Trades and free-agent compensation left them with just four picks: one in second round, one in third and two in seventh. Dan Snyder says he has a three-year plan — a revolutionary concept for an impatient owner who didn’t have a clue in his first four seasons.

49. Miami (9-7)

LAST SEASON: It wasn’t easy, but with seven Pro Bowl players, including NFL rushing leader Ricky Williams and sacks leader Jason Taylor, Dolphins somehow managed to miss playoffs for first time in six years.

THEY NEED: OL, S, WR.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Too late to determine.

OUTLOOK: Because of trade to acquire Williams, Dolphins find themselves without first-round pick for second year in a row. Missing playoffs last season was major disappointment.

55. Atlanta (9-6-1)

LAST SEASON: Made playoffs for first time since Super Bowl season of 1998, beat Green Bay on road before losing in Philadelphia.

THEY NEED: OL, MLB, S, DE, FB.

THEY DON’T NEED: QB, WR, OLB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Too late to tell, but Atlanta needs as much protection as it can provide for quarterback Michael Vick, the franchise cornerstone.

OUTLOOK: After trading first-round pick to Buffalo for WR Peerless Price, Falcons will wait until second round, to make their choice. Fullback is major concern after retirement of Bob Christian, whose replacement, George Layne, missed half of 2002 with concussion.

64. Tampa Bay (12-4)

LAST SEASON: Won Super Bowl despite not having first- or second-round picks because of trade that brought coach Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay from Oakland.

THEY NEED: QB of future, OL.

THEY DON’T NEED: DL.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Too late to determine.

OUTLOOK: Trade for Gruden also cost this year’s first-round pick, as well as a second-rounder in 2004, but nobody’s complaining. They don’t need immediate help from young players. GM Rich McKay has filled needs for offensive linemen and starting outside linebacker through free agency.