NFL Draft Team Needs
The top 5 needs will be listed.
This is pre-free agency so top needs are bound to change or be created.
Arizona Cardinals • DE, QB, OT, LB, CB As well as Arizona’s defence held up with all the injuries, they need to get some youth, especially along the line, with question marks surrounding John Abraham’s return and Darnell Dockett’s recover, depth needs to be added as Calais Campbell can’t do it all on his own. Quarterback is a wildcard because of the Carson Palmer injury, they need depth that’s for sure.
Atlanta Falcons • DE, S, TE, DT, RB Atlanta seems to have been looking for a dominate, hell even a mediocre pass rusher since they let John Abraham go. With Dan Quinn hired as head coach, expect a very defence focused draft. They also need a half decent tight end that posses some sort of threat as well. The talent at cornerback is there, it’s the development that is not.
Baltimore Ravens • WR, RB, S, TE, OT Even if Baltimore retains Torrey Smith, are they going to feel good about trotting him and a 36 year old Steve Smith? I can see Justin Forsett being a very Fred Jackson player, so they may invest in some more talent and depth at running back.
Buffalo Bills • TE, QB, DE, OG, LB How much faith does Rex have in EJ Manuel, that’s the real question; maybe Greg Roman can fix him, either way they need a lot more playmaking ability at the tight end position. Defensive end could use more depth and youth with Jerry Hughes potentially leaving via free agency.
Carolina Panthers • OT, OG, CB, S, WR Cam dealt with a ton of injuries last year and I would think that Carolina doesn’t want to roll the dice with Cam behind that line again – upgrades across the board except centre is needed. A new secondary would also benefit; the front seven hid a lot but with Chris Gamble’s sudden retirement a couple of years ago, which really buried them.
Chicago Bears • S, DE, DT, C, LB Lets be honest, the whole defence with the exception of Kyle Fuller could be upgraded; if Lamarr Houston wasn’t an idiot he’d be on that short list as well. How Chris Conte still has a job is beyond me. John Fox will build this defence the right way, that is for sure. Jay Cutler’s attitude could change, but that’s not going to happen.
Cincinnati Bengals • QB, S, LB, DT, CB Cincinnati is actually a pretty solid team, it’s Andy Dalton that will continue to plummet everyone’s value around him, but the Bengals have never been one to make bold moves. Cincinnati is mostly looking for depth then they are a game changer. Until they get rid of Andy Dalton, they will always be just good enough to get to the playoffs but ultimately be one-and-done once they get there. Take what you can get, right Ohio?
Cleveland Browns • WR, QB, DT, TE, S Speaking of Ohio… What was once a strong point is now a weakness, thanks to Josh Gordon getting caught being addicted to illegal substances (alcohol is illegal to him), Cleveland now needs to invest highly in a wide out. It’s sad really, Cleveland could of had any wide out from last years draft, hell could of had two! Manziel was never going to catch lightning in a bottle like he did at Texas A&M; nothing ever comes good from that 22nd overall pick when drafted by Cleveland (see Brandon Weeden, Brady Quinn).
Dallas Cowboys • CB, LB, S, RB, WR If Dallas can keep both DeMarco and Dez cross running back and wide receiver out. Morris Claiborne isn’t what they thought he was and Brandon Carr is so hit and miss. They could also use a game changing safety, though J.J. Wilcox did play well down the stretch.
Denver Broncos • LB, OG, DE, DT, QB Manning will give it one more go, but Denver has been to reliant on free agents that if they don’t start building up depth through the draft they will drop to a sub .500 team. This years draft should be more focused on depth then flash. Look from Gary Kubiak to try and find a Brian Cushing type linebacker to resemble what he had in Houston.
Detroit Lions • OT, CB, DT, LB, OG Ndamukong Suh and Detroit’s faith in Nick Fairly will determine the first round for the Lions. Giving Matt Stafford protection should be a top priority as well. Though the overall numbers looked good, Stafford just didn’t seem right this past season, the passing game seemed to disappear which was very bizarre.
Green Bay Packers • LB, OT, TE, DT, CB Green Bay just can’t seem to get that other playmaking linebacker opposite of Clay Matthews in the draft; Julius Peppers was a great addition, however, he has at most two productive years left. Keeping Rodgers upright is never a bad idea. Ted Thompson should take a page from Jerry Jones and draft along the offensive line rather then go for the headline pick — bet you never thought that would ever be the case.
Houston Texans • QB, RB, CB, WR, LB Ryan Fitzpatrick can only take his team so far (7-9 wins); the only thing I’ve ever heard about Tom Savage is that he has a big arm, Ryan Mallet really didn’t have enough time to prove anything. Arian Foster is always a hamstring pull away from missing significant time. On defence, Jonathan Joseph is getting up there in age and Kareem Jackson may not be retained.
Indianapolis Colts • DE, OG, C, S, WR Surprised that running back isn’t listed, don’t be, Vick Ballard was out all last year and Dan Herron did ok. The defence started off actually pretty well but then the lose of Robert Mathis really started to show, and the Björn Werner pick a couple of years ago was never going to work out. Almost the entire offensive line could us an upgrade, Indianapolis doesn’t want their future highest paid player in the league getting knocked around like a rag doll.
Jacksonville Jaguars • CB, LB, OT, RB, TE The Jags defence was better than you thought they were, it was their offence that put them in a tough spot the majority of the time. Jacksonville has their future at quarterback (or they hope they do), an underrated receiving core, which could potentially get Justin Blackmon back. It’s running back where they need that game changer; Dennard Robinson is more change-of-pace than he is a feature back. A game changer at the outside linebacker position would help immensely. The Jags are one of the few teams that should opt for flash.
Kansas City Chiefs • WR, DE, OT, CB, OG I debated just writing wide receiver five times, and I don’t think to many Chiefs fans would oblige. It’s no secret that they need a game changing wide out, though a corner opposite Sean Smith would help. Also, Eric Fisher isn’t getting nearly enough criticism, to think he was the number one overall pick a couple of seasons ago is mind boggling – probably a reason why Central Michigan players don’t typically go that high.
Miami Dolphins • CB, WR, DT, LB, OG Miami is a tough team to gauge, they are similar to Cincinnati in that they don’t have to many glaring needs, but are stuck in mediocrity with a head coach that has to long a leash then he should. You can never have to many corners (by the way, remember when Miami drafted Vontae Davis and Sean Smith in the same draft?). A wide out to compliment Jarvis Landry and Mike Wallace would do great things to further Ryan Tannehill, but more of red zone threat than an quick speedster.
Minnesota Vikings • WR, OT, DE, RB, CB The future looked bright for Cordarrelle Patterson, but returns and reverses can only take you so far. A receiver that actually knows how to run routes would benefit Teddy Bridgewater a lot, and so would an upgrade at tackle; Matt Kalil may better suit the right side then the left. But with Mike Zimmer at head coach, he may opt to continue around his defence and create a nice one-two-punch to go opposite Anthony Barr at either outside linebacker or defensive end.
New England Patriots • DT, WR, S, OG, DE New England has a ton of depth and roll players on all counts, which makes them tough to figure out exactly what their greatest need is – that’s what happens when you’re the champions, few flaws. A defensive tackle to groom to be the heir of Vince Wilfork is the most obvious. A big time receiver would help as well; another red zone target outside of Rob Gronkowski.
New Orleans Saints • LB, CB, OT, DT, DE Don’t believe the hype that New Orleans is looking to find Drew Brees’ replacement, yes he didn’t have a good year but all the blame can’t be put on him, the protection was severely lacking and his pass catchers left a lot on the field. Defence is another issue entirely, they have some pieces, but Rob Ryan is just terrible. New Orleans needs to shake the me-against-the-world MO, oh and tackling, tackling helps; sometimes it’s better to go with the sure tackle rather than the hit stick highlight, isn’t that right Kenny Vaccaro?
New York Giants • LB, DE, S, OG, TE The Giants are either really good at certain positions, or are hurting and desperately need an impact player. Seriously, name a starting Giants linebacker… I’ll just wait over here. New York always was known for their ferocious defensive line, but since the primes of Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyoria and the early stages of Jason Pierre-Paul it’s been quite scarce. Speaking of Pierre-Paul, he’s looking to cash out, his mind is on money more than it is football, New York should let him walk.
New York Jets • CB, LB, QB, OG, OT I know the easy route is to say quarterback, because Geno Smith is mostly terrible mixed in with some mediocrity, but do you think Geno is worse than the Ryan Lindley/Logan Thomas/Drew Stanton combo that Todd Bowles had to deal with in Arizona? It’s a loaded question, I know. I feel Bowles is going to do a lot what Mike Zimmer did with the Vikings last year, draft his playmaker on defence, and if a quarterback falls, he will stretch out his arms and reel him in.
Oakland Raiders • DT, DE, WR, RB, CB Oakland is not as bad as you think they are, yes they relied on a few to many older veterans rather than retain stud free agents (Jared Veldheer). But Oakland has there quarterback of the future and just needs to surround him with some big play wide outs and hope that Latavius Murray can hold up. Also, Gabe Jackson was a steal in last years draft, just wanted to point that out. Defence is set at the linebacking core with Khalil Mack and Sio Moore. Some man power along the defensive line wouldn’t hurt. Jack Del Rio being a defensive minded coach may opt to improve the lines before anything else.
Philadelphia Eagles • S, CB, OG, WR, LB Philadelphia is not trading up to get Marcus Mariota, the last time a team traded the future for quarterback it resulted in everyone being fired and turmoil within the locker room, don’t do it Chip. Philadelphia’s secondary has been neglected for years; Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher are not starters in this league, and Brandon Boykin is more suited for the slot than out wide. A safety opposite Malcolm Jenkins would also do wonders, as he’s more built in the Kam Chancellor big hitter/run stopper than the Earl Thomas all over the field playmaker type.
Pittsburgh Steelers • CB, S, OT, TE, DT The state of Pennsylvania has a bit of a theme going on. Besides Mike Mitchell, and you can make an argument even for him, Pittsburgh has lacked depth and playmakers for a few years now; Troy Polumalu is a shell of his former self, and Ike Taylor hasn’t been a top corner for a few years, he actually hasn’t been average for a couple years either. Offensive line is one more tackle away from being fixed, Mike Adams is better suited for guard. Heath Miller is more name than game changer at this point in his career.
San Diego Chargers • OT, C, WR, CB, OG The Super Chargers could draft any position along the offensive line as it would be an upgrade, aside from right tackle. A big play, speed receiver would also take a lot of pressure off Phillip Rivers and Keenan Allen, with isn’t built to be the go-to-guy, he fits the mold as a wide receiver 1B, rather than 1A.
Seattle Seahawks • OG, TE, WR, CB, DT Pete Carroll needs to start hitting on some first round talent (James Carpenter, back-up, Bruce Irvin, situational pass rusher), however hitting on almost any round after gets him a pass. Chris Matthews may be the future at wide out for the Seahawks, as he is a game changer, yes he was held in cheque in the second half of the Super Bowl, but still, the kid made one hell of a debut. Outside of Luke Willson making the big play here and there (that’s all he really is) they need some consistency at the tight end position.
San Francisco 49ers • DE, CB, WR, DT, OG The downward swirl may have just begun for the 9ers; with an unknown head coach in Jim Tomsula the most logical would be to reload on defence, and with age and injuries slowly starting to catch up (see Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVarro Bowman) it may be time to start adding much needed depth along the front seven. An impact/speed, receiver to finally take advantage of Kaepernick’s big arm would be long overdue as well.
St. Louis Rams • QB, CB, OG, WR, S St. Louis was awarded three 1st round picks from Washington and have done….. nothing, well not nothing, they have built a top 10 defence, but not wins. It’s time to throw in the towel on Sam Bradford; injuries happen and life isn’t fair, also, most people aren’t awarded three chances to make the job theirs, sorry Sam, but it’s time for the Rams and Bradford to go their separate ways.
Tampa Buccaneers • S, QB, LB, DE, CB The sleeper pick from a year ago, is now on the clock. Tampa was just a mess all around, quarterback play was not good, however Mike Glennon isn’t a terrible option. The defence that was suppose to be the backbone of this team crumbled; another example that winning in the off-season does nothing when the games matter. The giving up on Mark Barron was a head scratcher and just sets the defence back further. Impact players all around, side from Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David could be upgraded to some degree. The secondary that looked like a strength is now one of their greatest weaknesses.
Tennessee Titans • DE, C, S, QB, CB Tennessee’s defence which looked like such a strength at the beginning of the season just eroded as the season wore on; the highly invested offensive line looked very average, and that’s being generous, the running game was virtually non-existent, and quarterback play was all over the place with mediocrity and injuries leading the way. All in all, Tennessee is a boring team with a lot of holes and outside of the underrated Jurrell Casey and under appreciated Kendall Wright and Jason McCourty, the Titans are in draft-the-best-player-available mode – though for the franchises sake, flash and name should be a factor.
Washington Redskins • S, CB. OG, DT, DE Outside of Jay Gruden hating Robert Griffin III, the positive is that they finally have a 1st round pick. Cornerback needs to be upgraded, because when DeAngelo Hall is considered the best on your team at the position, you’re in a lot of trouble. Ditto can be said about the safety position. Daniel Snyder needs to leave his cheque book at home once free agency begins and work on a successful draft to give this team something else to talk about other than their nickname and the Gruden and RGIII love/hate relationship.