NFC South 2008 Draft Needs

by | Apr 23, 2008 | NFL Draft

NFC South 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Carolina Panthers
Top Needs: OL, DL, RB
The Panthers needs aren’t as massive as some other teams, but depth is going to be a major concern.  They have some flexibility on the offensive line with Travelle Wharton, so replacing Mike Wahle may not require a specific position to be drafted, other than someone who could step in.  They could also use some depth along the defensive line, especially at DE, with Mike Rucker possibly not coming back.  The Panthers don’t need a RB to step in and start, with DeAngelo Williams on board, but they would like someone to help carry the load, as Williams did with DeShaun Foster the last two seasons.  They also would like to find a WR to help Mushin Muhammad push Dwayne Jarrett, and could use some additional competition at Free Safety as well.

New Orleans Saints
Top Needs: DB, DT, OL
The Saints upgraded their defensive backfield with Patriots CB Randall Gay, but that isn’t saying much—Gay isn’t that good, and their DBs were horrible.  That many experts project Gay to battle with Jason David for a starting spot is a prime example of this—if the Saints had signed a top CB in free agency, David likely would have been on the first bus out of town.  Hollis Thomas and Brian Young don’t really inspire at DT, but they should hold their own while showing a rookie the ropes.  The Saints could also use someone to challenge for a spot on the offensive line—they are set at LT, but other than that, they could upgrade a spot, and appear to have some flexibility to move guys around.  Drafting a project QB this year should also be a given for the Saints, with ex-QB Jay Payton at the helm and backup Jamie Martin being 38 years old and not all that inspiring.

Atlanta Falcons
Top Needs: QB, T, MLB
No doubt the Falcons need a quarterback, with Mike Vick still playing touch football in Leavenworth, Byron Leftwich released, Chris Redman penciled in as the starter and Joey Harrington re-signed but having his decision making skills questioned again after marrying Mick Jagger castoff Jerry Hall.  The Falcons also could use some help at both tackle spots, and up the middle on defense—at DT, MLB and S.  But at least they’re set at RB, after adding Michael Turner to the mix with Jerious Norwood, who apparently no one but us thought could be a full time starter.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top Needs: WR, DT, CB
The Bucs appear to be the other front-runner in the Jared Allen sweepstakes, which would impact their draft significantly—and possibly questionably, given that a starting DE doesn’t appear to be as significant a need as some other spots, with Gaines Adams and Greg White looking to start, and Jimmy Wilkerson added to the mix.  Defensive Tackle would be another story, though, as Jovan Haye being nothing special, and Chris Hovan arguably not deserving a job in the league for several years.  Wide receiver is probably the biggest need for the Bucs, with Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard getting ready for Medicare and Michael Clayton entering the witness protection program after his rookie year.  The Bucs could also use some help at DB, especially with Ronde Barber soon to join his brother Tiki on the unemployment line (ok, technically Tiki isn’t unemployed—but he should be).  It would be somewhat surprising to see the Bucs draft a quarterback, given Jon Gruden’s penchant for aged veterans, but at some point, someone in the front office needs to realize that guys like trading for guys like Brian Griese and Jake Plummer year after year isn’t that bright.

AFC South 2008 Draft Needs

by | Apr 23, 2008 | NFL Draft

AFC South 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Indianapolis Colts
Top needs: DT, DB, OL
Calling any of these positions areas of need might be a stretch. The Colts appear on paper to be one of the most complete teams in the league heading into draft day. Their biggest needs are depth on the lines and in the defensive backfield. Of course those depth needs are pretty big in some spots. But if you can go into the NFL draft saying your starting spots are all sewn up and you are trolling for backups or for guys that might become starters a year or two down the road you’re in pretty damn nice shape. Good luck in your new stadium, Tony Dungy.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Top needs: DE, WR, DT
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be the second or third best team in the AFC right now if David Garrard can repeat his success from a year ago. But there are some holes to fill, especially along the defensive line. Sometimes-stud tackle Marcus Stroud went to Buffalo and end Bobby McCray signed with New Orleans. John Henderson and Paul Spicer remain but the Jags need to fill those holes before the season starts. Jacksonville also still needs a game-breaking receiver. Matt Jones and Reggie Williams remain but they’ve been far from great. Ernest Wilford, a guy I thought should have played more on this team, left for Miami. Jerry Porter could help if he stops being a whiny bitch, but Troy Williamson is unlikely to be a long-term answer, despite being reunited with Mike Tice, who coached the fumble-fingered wideout when both were in Minnesota.

Tennessee Titans
Top needs: WR, DE, G
This team went 10-6 last season and made the playoffs despite having few weapons for supposed-franchise savior Vince Young. A deep threat is probably more of a need than another possession receiver, which the roster seems to be loaded with. Someone to go with new TE find Alge Crumpler would really help the young QB develop. Whether that need or the Titans’ dearth of defensive ends is the most pressing spot is a toss-up. Not that Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy are studs, but breaking news, it helps to have one or two ends on the team to field a complete defense. The Titans also lost guard Jacob Bell to St. Louis, so they’ll need to grab a couple linemen as well.

Houston Texans
Top needs: RB, DL, DB
Ahman Green and Darius Walker? Chris Brown? While one half of the Zoneblitz duo invested in some Walker rookie cards somewhere along the line, if those are the top three guys on your RB depth chart heading into 2008, it’s definitely a top need. The up-and-coming Texans are unlikely to make many strides offensively if they can’t keep QB Matt Schaub healthy and one way to do so would be to develop a running game that can at least tease a defense once in awhile. The Texans also need a DT and DE to team with Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye, two young, budding superstars. Finally, with Dunta Robinson nursing injuries that could go into the season and the defensive coming off a season in which it intercepted just 11 passes, this improving team is likely to work the D-backfield into play on draft day.

Dolphins Go Long at #1

by | Apr 22, 2008 | NFL Draft

Well, contrary to ProFootballTalk’s belief that the Jake Long contract talks were a ruse to get someone else to agree to a lower deal, Miami has apparently agreed to terms with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.   Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the deal is 5-years, $57.5 million, with $30 million guaranteed.

PFT points out that it’s less money than JaMarcus Russell got last year, but it’s also one less year. Personally, I think the comparison is moot anyway, as you’re comparing a tackle to a quarterback.

More importantly, Long will avoid the holdout that Russell had last year, and will likely step right into the lineup on day one, protecting presumably John Beck’s blind side.

The St. Louis Rams are on the clock, and can negotiate with other rookies.

And most importantly, the ZoneBlitz.com Mock Draft, coming on Friday, is 1 for 1–we never fell for the ruse talk, and would have guessed Jake Long 2 months ago, if forced to have made a guess.  Our pick for #2 overall spot is that the Rams will go DE Chris Long, meaning both Howie and his son will play for franchises that used to be in Los Angeles.

NFC North 2008 Draft Needs

by | Apr 22, 2008 | NFL Draft

NFC North 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Green Bay Packers
Top Needs: SLB, DB, G
One might think that the retirement of Brett Favre (which you may have heard of in the news) might cause QB to be higher on the list, but Aaron Rodgers has looked ok in his limited action—and Favre has all but admitted that he’s a phone call away if Rodgers were to get hurt. A lot of experts consider Guard the top need, as the Packers played musical chairs at Guard last year, and no one seemed to want to sit down. Still, the combo of guys they have played decent in 2006, and they may be given another chance in 2008. If the Packers can upgrade from Brady Poppinga, they would be foolish not too—he tries hard, but just comes up short a little too often. Cornerback initially looks like it should be set with Charles Woodson and Al Harris, but both are getting old, and there isn’t much depth that appears ready to start—and the physical style of Harris and Woodson appeared to wear them down as the season went on, and they got burned in the NFC Championship game. Safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby are both limited as well.

Minnesota Vikings
Top Needs: DE, T, QB
As of the writing of this, the Vikings are still talking to Jared Allen and the Chiefs, which would immediately move DE down the list on needs (not to mention cost them probably two of their top three picks in the draft). They also got good news on Kenechi Udeze’s health last week, and while it isn’t likely, it isn’t as certain that he won’t be able to suit up in 2008. Beyond DE, the Vikings definitely need some help at tackle—LT Bryant McKinnie has always been inconsistent, and is facing legal issues that some have speculated may lead to his eventual release, and RT Ryan Cook was inconsistent last year. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson still hasn’t proven himself to be a quality NFL starter, and if the Vikings do land Allen, will face even more scrutiny as the defense would definitely be playoff caliber, and backup Gus Ferrotte hasn’t looked good since before his first tenure with the team a few years.

Chicago Bears
Top Needs: RB, WR, QB
In reality, the Bears could use help pretty much across the board—especially on offense. Bears fans can’t be happy with the decision to trade Thomas Jones to the Jets last year—especially given that Cedric Benson hadn’t proven himself before the trade, and looked dreadful after it. The only reason that the Bears might not go RB right away in the draft would be their pitiful WR corps—after Bernard Berrian bolted and Mushin Muhammad was cut, their top WR going into camp will be Marty Booker, Mark Bradley, and Devin Hester. The Bears have known that they have a quarterback situation for the last two years, and their best solution for it so far has been to trade the most proven QB on the roster to the Bucs—but it’s not like Brian Griese was going to be a long term solution. Whoever they draft will battle Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, who both signed one year deals, for the starting job, and likely will see the field, given the status of the Bears OL, which is also aging. The Bears will also have to worry about injury and attitude problems on the defense. But at least they don’t have to worry about special teams—unless the NFL finally decides to start enforcing clipping.

Detroit Lions
Top Needs: DL, CB, LB
What the Lions really need is a General Manager that will stop drafting WR in the first round. At least taking Calvin Johnson last year was taking the top talent on the board (that didn’t have injury concerns)—if he goes WR this year, the Fords should try to fire him before Goodell gets the name out of his mouth. The Lions addressed their top need of Cornerback by getting Leigh Bodden from Cleveland, but opened a potentially bigger hole at DT to do so—they weren’t that strong across the line to begin, and Chuck Darby isn’t going to help as much as they might think. And even with Bodden, they still could use some help at the other CB spot, where Travis Fisher has been oft injured. Most teams likely wouldn’t consider the loss of Boss Bailey or Teddy Lehman all that major, but for the Lions, it leaves an already weak unit even weaker—Paris Lenon will likely win a starting spot again by default, but Ernie Sims is really the only proven LB on the team.

AFC North 2008 Draft Needs

by | Apr 22, 2008 | NFL Draft

AFC North 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

Pittsburgh Steelers
Top needs: OL, DB, DE
Alan Faneca left, Marvel Smith has struggled, Sean Mahan did not play well last year, Kendall Simmons has had his ups and downs and while Willie Colon has a some skills he hasn’t fully developed either. That right there is pretty much the entire line that often failed to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright and create running room for Willie Parker. At defensive back Anthony Smith was the clown that ran his mouth and then got schooled by Randy Moss. He’s not a starter but the guys ahead of him haven’t been terribly durable. At defensive end the Steelers have the solid Aaron Smith but many publications say there is concern he is slowing down.

Cleveland Browns
Top needs: CB, OLB/DE, RB
The Cleveland Browns might have boring uniforms but this organization is a popular pick to be one of the league’s most exciting young teams this season. They need to improve on a defense that struggled through most of a 10-6 season in 2007 and they have taken several steps to do so by adding DTs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to a line that couldn’t stop the run. Now they need to replace CB Leigh Bodden, traded to Detroit in the Rogers deal. He was a largely unknown but respected and improving piece that was tough to see go. Improving the pass rush with a complement to LB Kamerion Wimbley would also help. On offense the Browns are largely set after adding Donte Stallworth to the WR rotation. Jamal Lewis had a resurgent season last year but he’s getting up there in age. A running back that could step in to give him a breather would be a useful piece to the puzzle.
Cincinnati Bengals
Top needs: WR, LB, DT
After a couple years where it looked like the Bengals were trending upward the bottom could be close to falling out. Carson Palmer might not have any wide receivers left with Chris “If I can’t give high school students beer then I’ll kick out your back windshield and punch you in the face” Henry (finally) released and Chad Johnson trying to whine his way out of town. T.J. Houshmandzadeh still remains but he’s skipping off-season workouts, leaving Palmer to work with a handful of receivers that will likely be bagging groceries when the season starts. The team also needs to start adding some defensive talent, primarily along the line, where Justin Smith left, and at linebacker, where the team last season was forced by injury to employ several guys who should have been bagging groceries with the guys now catching practice passes from Palmer. Could be a tough year ahead in Cincy.

Baltimore Ravens
Top needs: QB, LT, CB
Kyle Boller hasn’t developed, Steve McNair is retired and Troy Smith is a long way from being ready to take the helm as a starter for the Ravens, my early guess for the number one pick in the 2009 draft. No quarterback coupled with the likely retirement of likely Hall-of-Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden leave the Ravens lacking at two of an offense’s most important positions. The Ravens still have some cogs especially on defense. But cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister are aging and they don’t have anyone waiting in the wings. Safety is also a possibility as Ed Reed is the only sure thing. Couple the question marks with a brutal schedule and the 2008 season is likely a building one for new coach John Harbaugh.