TEAM BY TEAM NEEDS FOR APRIL'S DRAFT(N.E. & NYJ)
I will analyze each team's free agency gains & losses, I'll recap their 2008 draft & define overall team needs.
New England Patriots:
The Patriots did their usual in the free agent market, they moved a lot of people thru their revolving door, coach Bill Belichick always fine tuning his team. Running back LaMont Jordan & WR Jabar Gaffney both departed for Denver & I doubt the Patriots will miss them. Fullback Heath Evans shipped out for New Orleans & he will need replacing as they don't have another fullback on the roster. Special teams demon, Larry Izzo signed with the Jets, WR Kelly Washington was released & LB Pierre Woods & OT Wesley Britt, both restricted free agents continue to be unsigned at this time. Backup QB, Matt Cassel & veteran OLB, Mike Vrabel were traded to the Chiefs for a second round pick. Belichick resigned five of his restricted free agents. Punter Chris Hanson, safeties Tank Williams & James Sanders, guard Ross Hochstein & linebacker Eric Alexander will all be Patriots again in '09. Safety Rodney Harrison, probably the heart of this defense, has yet to sign with anyone & is said to be leaning toward Atlanta. They picked up Jet TE Chris Baker, in an attempt to increase production at the position. LB Tully Banta Cain returned to New England from Frisco & CB Leigh Boddin came over from Detroit. Boddin was one of the few bright spots for the 0-16 Lions. The big news in free agency was the trio of RB Fred Taylor, WR Joey Galloway & CB Shawn Springs. I question whether any of them will start, but all three will get plenty of snaps provided they stay healthy, a problem for all three.
New England struck gold in the first round of the 2008 draft. They surprised many by picking ILB Jerod Mayo from Tennessee. Mayo was a major force in the middle vs the run & he won defensive rookie of the year. CB Terrence Wheatley got some playing time before going on I.R. Michigan LB Shawn Crable flashed some pass rush before going on I.R. QB Kevin O'Connell with backup Tom Brady, he had some mop up snaps in several games. I think he's an NFL quarterback, though the Pats don't want to find out about him the same way they found out about Matt Cassel. Fifth round pick, CB Jonathan Wilhite, played in every game & as injuries decimated the New England secondary, he evntually started 4 games. Safety Mathew Slater didn't show much as a KR, but he made plays on kick & punt coverage. Seventh round pick, LB Bo Ruud, was on I.R. all season, but could split time with Teddy Bruschi & eventually replace him.
The Patriots have all of their picks plus two additional second rounders. They have 4 of the first 58 picks, right in Belichick's wheelhouse. They need back 7 help on defense, the Patriots surrendered more touchdown passes than any team in the league, very unPatriot-like. OLB Adalius Thomas was injured and really missed, he's really the force now that Vrabel & Seau are gone & Bruschi is entering his 14th season. I think Crable & Ruud will play a lot, might even start. They need depth for certain, I expect them to pick at least 2 linebackers before the 3rd round is over. Another cornerback & safety would make sense as well. It looks to me like it'll be Ellis Hobbs & Leigh Boddin starting on the corners & Springs would be the 1st guy off the bench. Resigning Rodney Harrison would be a boost, but the longer he remains out there, the less likely I believe he'll remain in New England. There's little depth at WR, losing Washington & Gaffney, so I expect a wideout to be taken early on as well. Offensive line depth, especially at tackle is the last need on my list. I doubt the Patriots will stand pat with their picks the way they are, but I'll take a shot anyway. For the first round, USC OLB Brian Cushing makes sense. With K.C.'s pick at #34, UConn CB Darius Butler, pick #47, Missouri safety, William Moore & with the 58th pick, Penn State WR, Deon Butler. Third round possibility is Eastern Michigan OL, T.J. Lang.
New York Jets:
The Jets, who wilted down the stretch, hope to be rejuvinated with new head coach, Rex Ryan. They lost 3 real contributors from last year's team, LB Eric Barton, TE Chris Baker & WR Laveraunes Coles. Barton was the Jets' leading tackler, so he certainly will be missed, Coles' 70 receptions & 7 TD's will be need to be replaced as well. Even though Baker has caught 93 passes in less than 3 seasons, he won't be missed with the emergence of Dustin Keller. New York resigned 5 of their restricted free agents, CB Ahmad Carroll, S Abram Elam, PK Jay Feely, FB Tony Richardson & guard Brandon Moore. Carroll is the only non-starter in the group. Ryan convinced S Jim Leonhard & LB Bart Scott to leave Baltimore, both are quality acquisitions.
The draft, which had two #1 picks, was just so-so. First round pick, OLB Vernon Gholston, was projected to be a major force rushing the passer. Instead he barely got on the field & finished with 5 tackles. Not so hot for the 6th overall pick. The other first rounder, Dustin Keller, made his rookie season count with 48 catches for 535 yards starting only 6 games. He's not a blocker, but he is quick & can get by most linebackers. No 2nd or 3rd picks, but 4th rounder, Dwight Lowery started 10 games at cornerback. I don't know if he'll be able to keep his starting spot. QB Erik Ainge never stepped into a huddle & WR Marcus Henry spent the year on the practice squad. He's a big, tall receiver, the Jets need a speedy guy, possibly David Clowney, a 2nd year man.
First & foremost, the Jets need a quarterback, the Brett Favre era in New York lasted only one season. Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff are the choices right now. I think they will try to grab a QB in round one, virtually the entire front office has personally seen K-State's Josh Freeman workout. They also are in need of a speedy wideout. An edge pass rusher with speed is the other main need. How about Freeman in the 1st round, Cincinnati DE/OLB Connor Barwin in the 2nd & Florida WR Louis Murphy.
New England Patriots:
The Patriots did their usual in the free agent market, they moved a lot of people thru their revolving door, coach Bill Belichick always fine tuning his team. Running back LaMont Jordan & WR Jabar Gaffney both departed for Denver & I doubt the Patriots will miss them. Fullback Heath Evans shipped out for New Orleans & he will need replacing as they don't have another fullback on the roster. Special teams demon, Larry Izzo signed with the Jets, WR Kelly Washington was released & LB Pierre Woods & OT Wesley Britt, both restricted free agents continue to be unsigned at this time. Backup QB, Matt Cassel & veteran OLB, Mike Vrabel were traded to the Chiefs for a second round pick. Belichick resigned five of his restricted free agents. Punter Chris Hanson, safeties Tank Williams & James Sanders, guard Ross Hochstein & linebacker Eric Alexander will all be Patriots again in '09. Safety Rodney Harrison, probably the heart of this defense, has yet to sign with anyone & is said to be leaning toward Atlanta. They picked up Jet TE Chris Baker, in an attempt to increase production at the position. LB Tully Banta Cain returned to New England from Frisco & CB Leigh Boddin came over from Detroit. Boddin was one of the few bright spots for the 0-16 Lions. The big news in free agency was the trio of RB Fred Taylor, WR Joey Galloway & CB Shawn Springs. I question whether any of them will start, but all three will get plenty of snaps provided they stay healthy, a problem for all three.
New England struck gold in the first round of the 2008 draft. They surprised many by picking ILB Jerod Mayo from Tennessee. Mayo was a major force in the middle vs the run & he won defensive rookie of the year. CB Terrence Wheatley got some playing time before going on I.R. Michigan LB Shawn Crable flashed some pass rush before going on I.R. QB Kevin O'Connell with backup Tom Brady, he had some mop up snaps in several games. I think he's an NFL quarterback, though the Pats don't want to find out about him the same way they found out about Matt Cassel. Fifth round pick, CB Jonathan Wilhite, played in every game & as injuries decimated the New England secondary, he evntually started 4 games. Safety Mathew Slater didn't show much as a KR, but he made plays on kick & punt coverage. Seventh round pick, LB Bo Ruud, was on I.R. all season, but could split time with Teddy Bruschi & eventually replace him.
The Patriots have all of their picks plus two additional second rounders. They have 4 of the first 58 picks, right in Belichick's wheelhouse. They need back 7 help on defense, the Patriots surrendered more touchdown passes than any team in the league, very unPatriot-like. OLB Adalius Thomas was injured and really missed, he's really the force now that Vrabel & Seau are gone & Bruschi is entering his 14th season. I think Crable & Ruud will play a lot, might even start. They need depth for certain, I expect them to pick at least 2 linebackers before the 3rd round is over. Another cornerback & safety would make sense as well. It looks to me like it'll be Ellis Hobbs & Leigh Boddin starting on the corners & Springs would be the 1st guy off the bench. Resigning Rodney Harrison would be a boost, but the longer he remains out there, the less likely I believe he'll remain in New England. There's little depth at WR, losing Washington & Gaffney, so I expect a wideout to be taken early on as well. Offensive line depth, especially at tackle is the last need on my list. I doubt the Patriots will stand pat with their picks the way they are, but I'll take a shot anyway. For the first round, USC OLB Brian Cushing makes sense. With K.C.'s pick at #34, UConn CB Darius Butler, pick #47, Missouri safety, William Moore & with the 58th pick, Penn State WR, Deon Butler. Third round possibility is Eastern Michigan OL, T.J. Lang.
New York Jets
The draft, which had two #1 picks, was just so-so. First round pick, OLB Vernon Gholston, was projected to be a major force rushing the passer. Instead he barely got on the field & finished with 5 tackles. Not so hot for the 6th overall pick. The other first rounder, Dustin Keller, made his rookie season count with 48 catches for 535 yards starting only 6 games. He's not a blocker, but he is quick & can get by most linebackers. No 2nd or 3rd picks, but 4th rounder, Dwight Lowery started 10 games at cornerback. I don't know if he'll be able to keep his starting spot. QB Erik Ainge never stepped into a huddle & WR Marcus Henry spent the year on the practice squad. He's a big, tall receiver, the Jets need a speedy guy, possibly David Clowney, a 2nd year man.
First & foremost, the Jets need a quarterback, the Brett Favre era in New York lasted only one season. Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff are the choices right now. I think they will try to grab a QB in round one, virtually the entire front office has personally seen K-State's Josh Freeman workout. They also are in need of a speedy wideout. An edge pass rusher with speed is the other main need. How about Freeman in the 1st round, Cincinnati DE/OLB Connor Barwin in the 2nd & Florida WR Louis Murphy.
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