TEAM NEEDS, DAY 4, BUCS, NYG, BOLTS & JAGS
We're officially under a week now until the draft, so I better finish up the "Needs" posts ASAP. Here we go.
Tampa Bay #20
1. Defensive end-The Bucs need an edge rusher in the worst way. This team traded for Chiefs' #3 pick in '09 draft, Alex Magee, that's how bleak the depth is at DE. I actually think Magee will do much better in Tampa in that defense, he just wasn't a 3-4 guy. Nevertheless Tampa needs a pass rusher & it's easily their biggest need.
2. Outside linebacker- Geno Hayes makes a lot of stops, led the team in tackles for a loss. But it's the other side where help is needed. Dekoda Watson & Tyronne McKenzie made zero impact in 2010. Less than 30 total tackles, 1 for loss & no sacks or interceptions.
3. Tight end-Kellen Winslow Jr. had a good 2nd half of the season, his backup John Gilmore is a free agent & Ryan Purvis is a practice squad guy. Considering Winslow's extensive injury history, a quality backup is needed.
4. Right offensive tackle-Former starter Jeremy Trueblood will be a free agent, James Lee was up & down last season & a front line right tackle in a power running game is essential.
I expect Raheem Morris to insist on an edge pass rusher at DE & maybe a second at weakside linebacker. The 1st round candidates would include Mizzou's Aldon Smith or Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, both effective pass rushers against tough competition.
New York Giants #19
1. Offensive tackle-Only William Beatty, a reserve, is currently under contract, Kareem McKenzie & David Diehl, the starters, could be gone.
2. Outside linebacker-The G-Men signed former Titan Pro Bowl LB Keith Bulluck last season & he managed just 21 tackles & was probably their best OLB. The depth is pitiful.
3. Center-Sean O'Hara was the starter but had knee surgery. Rich Seubert played there as well but he suffered a dislocated kneecap & his availability for the opener is unknown.
4. Tight end-Starter Mike Boss isn't an effective run blocker & his hands aren't dependable. His backups, Travis Beckum & Jake Ballard are nowhere near ready to step in as a starter. This is a position of weakness for the Giants, only 48 total receptions in 2010.
A run on the top offensive linemen might begin with this pick. C/G Mike Pouncey, OT Anthony Castonzo, G/T Danny Watkins are all possibilities. OLB Akeem Ayers of UCLA is a long shot in this spot.
San Diego #18
1. Defensive end-Luis Castillo is a quality player at DE but other than 2nd year man Vaughn Martin(who is not ready), the Bolts have very little at this position.
2. Safety-The Charger deep backs are decent in coverage but they don't scare anybody coming over the middle & they're just average against the run. Former Jayhawk Darrell Stuckey might be "that guy" but he didn't play enough last season to earn much respect. Starter Steve Gregory was suspended & played terribly when he got back on the field.
3. Wide receiver-Some hard case knuckleheads at this position. Vincent Jackson held out long enough last year to effectively knock the Bolts out of the playoffs. He, along with Legedu Naanee & Malcolm Floyd, could all be free agents. I expect at least one of them to resign, but San Diego still needs at least one wide receiver.
4. Outside linebacker-Shaun Phillips is dependable vs. the run & he recorded 11 sacks coming off the edge. Larry English on the other side was hurt for much of the season & had only 12 tackles & 3 sacks. If he's healthy, he'll be the starter, but they still need depth capable of pushing the starters.
5. Inside linebacker-The Chargers have 5 on their roster, 4 could be restricted free agents & the fifth, 2nd year man Donald Butler, tore his Achilles last year, so he might not be ready in September.
There are no 1st round safeties this year & picking 18th will eliminate WR. So look for the Chargers to go DE with their 1st pick, Cal's Cameron Jordan, Wisconsin's J.J. Watt or Adrian Clayborn of Iowa.
New England #17
The Patriots have two first round picks. I already outlined their needs in an earlier post. They were OL, DE, OLB, WR & RB. With the 17th pick in round one, look for Bill Belichick to look at DE J.J. Watt of Wisconsin, C/G Mike Pouncey of Florida or OT Anthony Castonzo.
Jacksonville #16
1. Safety-The Jaguars tried combination after combination in the deep backfield & nothing worked to any degree of success. They were beaten over the top, they didn't tackle, it was a disaster. They have no untouchables on their roster.
2. Defensive end-Aaron Kampman was sidelined for the 2nd straight season with knee surgery. In this scheme if he can get & stay healthy, the Jags have one quality pass rusher. They need someone to bookend with Kampman.
3. Quarterback-David Garrard, Trent Edwards & Luke McKown are the jags' QB's, it's time to find some new blood.
4. Linebacker-Kirk Morrison was signed as a free agent, but he is on the downhill portion of his career. He no longer stuffs the run, he makes tackles as they go by him. Justin Durant looked promising at times but he was constantly nicked up, missing a lot of plays.
5. Wide receiver-Mike Sims-Walker was a disappointment last year & he won't be resigned. Mike Thomas was solid as the slot receiver but no one else really stepped up to take a starting position.
As I said above, there aren't any 1st round safeties, so look for the Jags to go defensive end or they could surprise & take a quarterback. Whatever QB is chosen here would be a reach. Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan or how about Christian Ponder, QB from Florida State?
Next up we'll see Miami, St. Louis, Detroit & Minnesota.
Tampa Bay #20
1. Defensive end-The Bucs need an edge rusher in the worst way. This team traded for Chiefs' #3 pick in '09 draft, Alex Magee, that's how bleak the depth is at DE. I actually think Magee will do much better in Tampa in that defense, he just wasn't a 3-4 guy. Nevertheless Tampa needs a pass rusher & it's easily their biggest need.
2. Outside linebacker- Geno Hayes makes a lot of stops, led the team in tackles for a loss. But it's the other side where help is needed. Dekoda Watson & Tyronne McKenzie made zero impact in 2010. Less than 30 total tackles, 1 for loss & no sacks or interceptions.
3. Tight end-Kellen Winslow Jr. had a good 2nd half of the season, his backup John Gilmore is a free agent & Ryan Purvis is a practice squad guy. Considering Winslow's extensive injury history, a quality backup is needed.
4. Right offensive tackle-Former starter Jeremy Trueblood will be a free agent, James Lee was up & down last season & a front line right tackle in a power running game is essential.
I expect Raheem Morris to insist on an edge pass rusher at DE & maybe a second at weakside linebacker. The 1st round candidates would include Mizzou's Aldon Smith or Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, both effective pass rushers against tough competition.
New York Giants #19
1. Offensive tackle-Only William Beatty, a reserve, is currently under contract, Kareem McKenzie & David Diehl, the starters, could be gone.
2. Outside linebacker-The G-Men signed former Titan Pro Bowl LB Keith Bulluck last season & he managed just 21 tackles & was probably their best OLB. The depth is pitiful.
3. Center-Sean O'Hara was the starter but had knee surgery. Rich Seubert played there as well but he suffered a dislocated kneecap & his availability for the opener is unknown.
4. Tight end-Starter Mike Boss isn't an effective run blocker & his hands aren't dependable. His backups, Travis Beckum & Jake Ballard are nowhere near ready to step in as a starter. This is a position of weakness for the Giants, only 48 total receptions in 2010.
A run on the top offensive linemen might begin with this pick. C/G Mike Pouncey, OT Anthony Castonzo, G/T Danny Watkins are all possibilities. OLB Akeem Ayers of UCLA is a long shot in this spot.
San Diego #18
1. Defensive end-Luis Castillo is a quality player at DE but other than 2nd year man Vaughn Martin(who is not ready), the Bolts have very little at this position.
2. Safety-The Charger deep backs are decent in coverage but they don't scare anybody coming over the middle & they're just average against the run. Former Jayhawk Darrell Stuckey might be "that guy" but he didn't play enough last season to earn much respect. Starter Steve Gregory was suspended & played terribly when he got back on the field.
3. Wide receiver-Some hard case knuckleheads at this position. Vincent Jackson held out long enough last year to effectively knock the Bolts out of the playoffs. He, along with Legedu Naanee & Malcolm Floyd, could all be free agents. I expect at least one of them to resign, but San Diego still needs at least one wide receiver.
4. Outside linebacker-Shaun Phillips is dependable vs. the run & he recorded 11 sacks coming off the edge. Larry English on the other side was hurt for much of the season & had only 12 tackles & 3 sacks. If he's healthy, he'll be the starter, but they still need depth capable of pushing the starters.
5. Inside linebacker-The Chargers have 5 on their roster, 4 could be restricted free agents & the fifth, 2nd year man Donald Butler, tore his Achilles last year, so he might not be ready in September.
There are no 1st round safeties this year & picking 18th will eliminate WR. So look for the Chargers to go DE with their 1st pick, Cal's Cameron Jordan, Wisconsin's J.J. Watt or Adrian Clayborn of Iowa.
New England #17
The Patriots have two first round picks. I already outlined their needs in an earlier post. They were OL, DE, OLB, WR & RB. With the 17th pick in round one, look for Bill Belichick to look at DE J.J. Watt of Wisconsin, C/G Mike Pouncey of Florida or OT Anthony Castonzo.
Jacksonville #16
1. Safety-The Jaguars tried combination after combination in the deep backfield & nothing worked to any degree of success. They were beaten over the top, they didn't tackle, it was a disaster. They have no untouchables on their roster.
2. Defensive end-Aaron Kampman was sidelined for the 2nd straight season with knee surgery. In this scheme if he can get & stay healthy, the Jags have one quality pass rusher. They need someone to bookend with Kampman.
3. Quarterback-David Garrard, Trent Edwards & Luke McKown are the jags' QB's, it's time to find some new blood.
4. Linebacker-Kirk Morrison was signed as a free agent, but he is on the downhill portion of his career. He no longer stuffs the run, he makes tackles as they go by him. Justin Durant looked promising at times but he was constantly nicked up, missing a lot of plays.
5. Wide receiver-Mike Sims-Walker was a disappointment last year & he won't be resigned. Mike Thomas was solid as the slot receiver but no one else really stepped up to take a starting position.
As I said above, there aren't any 1st round safeties, so look for the Jags to go defensive end or they could surprise & take a quarterback. Whatever QB is chosen here would be a reach. Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan or how about Christian Ponder, QB from Florida State?
Next up we'll see Miami, St. Louis, Detroit & Minnesota.
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