by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
As you can see, the Raiders need about every position on the depth chart and times two for some positions. While I don’t usually believe in solely best player available (BPA) approach, this team could use it since almost every position is in such desperate need.
Starting on the defense, the Raiders need a complete overhaul on this side of the ball. With the exception of defensive end Lamar Houston and safety Tyvon Branch, the Raiders need upgrades at every other starting defensive position. The most drastic areas of need are defensive tackle, cornerback and outside linebacker. In addition needing this many starters, their depth is also a cause for concern.
Offensively the Raiders aren’t much better, but they do have at least a couple good starters. They still need two starting upgrades along the offensive line at guard and tackle, as well as a new starting tight end to replace Brandon Myers, who left in free agency. With Matt Flynn as the new quarterback, this need has dropped some, though a long-term option is still on the list.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
The Chiefs addressed many of their needs with resigning their own players and adding some key pieces via trade and free agency. Though they retained offensive tackle Branden Albert via the franchise tag, they lost Eric Winston, their other starting tackle. With Albert only under control for one season, offensive tackle remains a high priority both short and long term. Luke Joekel will be in high consideration if the Chiefs keep the first overall pick.
Another serious need for the Chiefs is their starting inside linebacker next to pro-bowler Derrick Johnson. The Chiefs have tried a number of combinations and none have succeeded, and it’s the last true hole in that defense. Expect them to try and fill this when they’re back on the clock in the third round.
After those two primary needs, Kansas City could use competition and long-term solutions at a number of other positions, including guard, cornerback and tight end. In addition for depth they can bring in another nose tackle and a back-up for RB Jammal Charles.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
The Texans have been searching for a complementary weapon to Andre Johnson for quite some time. And their lack of one last season led to their exit in the playoffs. Expect the Texans to grab at least two receivers, as they also look to replace the released Kevin Walter.
Houston has had back-to-back seasons where they lost one of their starting outside linebackers to free agency. Though they have some depth, it’s fairly unproven, and they’d be wise to add an early to mid-round pick to the position. Inside the Texans could use depth as their defense began to collapse when Brian Cushing went down due to injury.
The Texans last year struggled to maintain a consistent offensive line due to both injuries and free agent defections. Houston could look to bolster their line with both a guard and a tackle in the mid-rounds.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
Though the Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert in the first round in 2011, their ownership, coach and GM have all changed since then, making it very likely that his time as a starter is up. Expect them to use a first or second round pick to add one of the better quarterbacks in this class.
As you can see, the Jaguars have needs at almost every position. But next to quarterback, pass rushing is the Jaguars biggest weakness. Defensive end should be a primary early pick to help fill this void, though Jacksonville could also address these needs with upgrades at outside linebacker and defensive tackle.
Jacksonville has one of the better young left tackles in the league in Eugene Monroe, but could use upgrades at the other four offensive line positions. The biggest needs are getting a right tackle and left guard.
The Jaguars have cleaned house in their secondary and are left with a very unproven depth chart. Grabbing at least one cornerback and safety in this draft could give their new defensive coaching staff something to build upon.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
The Bengals offense has vastly improved during the last two years, which included playoff appearances. But their rushing attack has held them back from being a top tier offense. Finding a feature back is a major priority if the Bengals want to take the next step. Another offensive skill position in need is wide receiver, as Cincinnati has yet to find a good complement to star receiver AJ Green.
Starting right tackle Andre Smith remains a free agent. If he remains unsigned, adding a replacement is an early round need for the Bengals. In addition to their tackle needs, the Bengals could use a long-term upgrade at center.
Defensively, the Bengals biggest need remains at safety. Cincinnati has had below average production from their safeties in recent years, and could use a top level guy to round out their secondary.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
With the release of linebacker James Harrison, Pittsburgh has a major need at finding a rush linebacker. Their pass rush has declined in recent years, which is surprising for a Pittsburgh defense. In addition to an outside linebacker, the Steelers could use upgrades along the defensive line. Both a defensive end who can push the pocket and a nose tackle for controlling the run.
With the loss of Mike Wallace, and Emmanuel Sanders a restricted free agent, wide receiver represents both a short and long term need for Pittsburgh. Expect them to address this position early in the draft. Tight end is another need for the Steelers, as top TE Heath Miller is coming back from late season knee surgery.
With the loss of cornerback Keenan Lewis in free agency, the Steelers could use another starter opposite Ike Taylor. Expect this position in the mid-rounds. Though Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark remain the league’s best safety tandems, they missed a significant amount of time in recent seasons. With Pittsburgh losing both of their back-up safeties in free agency, quality depth has become a need for them at this position.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
The Miami Dolphins have been one of the biggest offseason spenders, but they were unable to lock up their former first overall pick, offensive tackle Jake Long. The loss of Long leaves a big hole on the offensive line, though the team may move 2012 2nd round pick Jonathan Martin to left tackle, making it slightly less of an issue. Regardless, this should be an early pick for the Dolphins.
Miami traded away CB Vontae Davis before last season and lost Sean Smith in free agency. Though they signed cornerback Brett Grimes, they still need to add another starting corner and should look for depth at that position in the draft.
In addition to their tackle needs, Miami could use an upgrade to their offensive guards. The line last year struggled as a whole in protecting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and should be upgraded as they help him develop. Also on offense, the loss of Reggie Bush does leave a hole at running back. Though they have some younger options already on the team, Miami should look to use at least a mid-round pick at this position.
Another big need for the Dolphins is finding a complementary pass rusher to Cameron Wake. Wake has established himself as one of the better pass rushers in the league, but there’s no secondary option, which holds the Dolphins’ defense back.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
Due to the Jets serious salary cap constraints, they are thin at just about every position. With so many needs, the Jets have the flexibility to upgrade at just about any position. Their top overall need though, does have to be quarterback, as the Mark Sanchez experiment has just about come to an end.
Though typically the strength of the 3-4 defense, the Jets linebackers have underperformed in recent years. On top of that, the team was forced to cut multiple starters in an effort to get under the salary cap. Their most pressing need is finding a top level inside linebacker to be the leader of that defense. In addition, they need to find an edge rusher to help their pass rush.
Though quarterback is the Jets biggest need, they desperately lack playmakers on offense. Santonio Holmes is recovering from major injury and last year’s rookie Stephen Hill proved not to be ready quite yet, meaning the Jets could look to grab another early receiver. With Dustin Keller departing in free agency tight end has also become a big void. In addition, the Jets running game has struggled in recent years. While they have some young options, they are all unproven and New York should also address this position early.
The Jets lost starting safety LaRon Landry in free agency, weakening a position that was already a need. New York could use multiple safeties and could double up given the strong class. Given the trade of Darrelle Revis, cornerback will become another area of need.
by Steve Shoup
April 22, 2013 in Team Needs
The Cowboys haven’t been able to do much in free agency due to their cap situation meaning that they are pretty much having to rely on the draft to fix their needs.
Most troubling is their offensive line issues. Their guard play was very poor this past season, while Doug Free continued to struggle even after moving to right tackle. Dallas is more likely to focus on guards in this draft and should look to grab one or two to bolster this unit.
Safety is another major consideration as the Cowboys could use a good young player to pair with their young corner tandem. Dallas could look to draft one of the top safeties in the first two rounds to fill their need.
Though not as big of a need, running back is a concern for Dallas. DeMarco Murray is pretty good when healthy, but so far in two years he hasn’t been healthy very often. Adding a running back in the top 4 rounds makes a lot of sense as they try to ensure they have a balanced offense.
