A new offensive line could enable coach Marvin Lewis to institute the power running game he prefers. A dynamic receiver could replace free-agent-to-be T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The right defensive lineman or linebacker could vault an improving young defense from good to great.

Lewis's stated priorities are to rebuild an offense capable of producing big plays and add an elite pass rusher to the defense. The Bengals could address either area with the No. 6 pick, and through Free Agency they could replace as many as four offensive starters.

Whoever the Bengals draft, Lewis said the rookies must fill roles early in their careers, for the sake of the team's depth and the players' psyches. The 2008 draftees made little impact until the final weeks of a lost season.

"There are certain things that when you watch them on tape, you go, 'Wow, that guy can do that,' so you've got to make sure you provide the opportunity for him to still do that," Lewis said. "It's very, very important. We've got to do a better job. At some point with these young guys, we have to find their niche and get them out on the field, so we can determine how they fit."

At the other end of the state, Cleveland Browns officials are still evaluating their personnel. The leaders in place today -- general manager George Kokinis and coach Eric Mangini -- were not responsible for assembling the current roster.

"I'm not going to rule it out, but I don't foresee us being active (in Free Agency) in the short term," Mangini said Friday at the NFL scouting combine.

He and Kokinis each said it is not currently a priority to trade quarterback Derek Anderson. They are willing to proceed deeper into the offseason with Anderson and Brady Quinn on the roster, despite the hefty bonus soon due to Anderson.

The more pressing matter this weekend is the defense, specifically negotiating with free-agent-to-be safety Sean Jones and evaluating the crop of draft-eligible linebackers. The Browns and Bengals were tied for the second-fewest sacks in the NFL last season, and most draft analysts believe the Browns will target outside linebacker Aaron Curry or one of the handful of hybrid end/linebackers with the No. 5 overall pick.

The Bengals could be in the mix for the same players. The lack of a consistent pass rush was the only major flaw on their defense last season, and it threatened to undermine the strong play in the secondary.

"We've got to find a rush, plain and simple," Lewis said. "We've got to put a guy out there that gets you 10-plus sacks. And it's not just the sacks. Pressure gets you turnovers, and turnovers win games."

Among the pass rushers at the top of the draft are Aaron Maybin of Penn State, Brian Orakpo of Texas and Everette Brown of Florida State. Each played defensive end in college but is considered a viable outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense such as the Browns favor.

Curry is considered the safest, most NFL-ready defensive player in the draft -- perhaps the safest pick on either side of the ball.

"We won't draft a ... guy that just rushes the passer," Mangini said. "We're going to draft Football players."

The Browns are expected to look for offensive linemen and a running back, as well. There are a handful of underclass running backs who are considered future starters, and more seniors considered future role players.

spriestle@dispatch.com

Box Story: Upcoming dates

* Through Tuesday: Scouting combine, Indianapolis

* Friday: Free Agency begins; trading period begins

* March 22-25: Owners meeting, Dana Point, Calif.

* April 25-26: Draft, New York

\ 5th -- Browns' FIRST-ROUND PICK

\ 6th -- Bengals' FIRST-ROUND PICK \

OTHER TOP-10 PICKS

1. Detroit (0-16)

2. St. Louis (2-14)

3. Kansas City (2-14)

4. Seattle (4-12)

7. Oakland (5-11)

8. Jacksonville (5-11)

9. Green Bay (6-10)

10. San Francisco (7-9)