TEAM NEEDS, CAROLINA, DENVER & BUFFALO
This will conclude the series of pre-draft team needs posts. I will have a mock draft on Wednesday as well as any late breaking draft news daily until Thursday.
Carolina #1
Is Jimmy Clausen, a 2nd round pick last season, the Panthers' future at quarterback or will they take Cam Newton Thursday night with the first pick? How quickly can this franchise be turned around with a solid draft? At 1-15, new coach Ron Rivera hopes the turn around will happen in a hurry. He has some solid parts to work with. The Panthers have a good offensive line & running game, which can hide a number of warts. Clausen, newton or whoever quarterbacks this team, will need improved receivers, only Steve Smith has a strong track record & even he might be moved. Tight end is another position is real need of upgrade. Defensively, the secondary is shaky with Chris Gamble & Richard Marshall. Captain Munnerlyn played well after Gamble was benched late last season. Their linebackers are good if they can stay healthy. Better defensive tackle play is a must & a defensive end to replace Tyler Brayton, who went sackless in 16 starts.
1. Quarterback-I've never been a Clausen fan, so I think the Panthers will select a quarterback Thursday night & most likely it will be Cam Newton.
2. Defensive tackle-Nick Hayden & Derek Landri won't ever amount to much as NFL starters. There is no developmental depth either. A very close 2nd to quarterback in terms of priority needs.
3. Outside linebacker-Keeping guys on the field week to week has been a problem. Behind starters James Anderson & Thomas Davis there is no one waiting in the wings to step forward & make an impact.
4. Wide receiver-It's unknown if Rivera wants to keep the volatile Smith. Beyond him, it's a hodge-podge of underachievers & wannabes.
5. Tight end-Dante Rosario, Jeff King & Gary Barnidge hardly strikes fear into opposing defenses. A major upgrade is needed if Clausen or whoever is to be successful.
Because the Panthers are trying to turn over a new leaf with a new coach, I'll be surprised if they don't take a quarterback number one. I just believe Clausen isn't that highly thought of within the new coaching staff. If he was, they'd take DT Marcell Dareus of Alabama with the number one pick & then take a wide receiver with their next pick. They don't have a second round selection, having traded it to New England, so it's imperative this first round pick is very successful.
Denver #2
The Broncos desperately need defense, defense & more defense. With the exception of CB Champ Bailey, OLB Elvis Dumervil & ILB Mario Haggan are the only untouchables on defense. That leaves 8 spots to be upgraded, that's a lot. Who will start at quarterback is certainly up in the air, Orton or Tebow? Then there's the wildcard of new Vice president of Football Operations, John Elway. He's been making waves about possibly taking a quarterback, so what Denver will do is a bit of a mystery.
1. Defensive tackle-New coach John Fox will change the defensive scheme back to a 4-3. An anchor is needed to not only stuff the run , but collapse the pocket.
2. Middle linebacker-D.J. Williams had off-field issues & he might not be back. No one behind him.
3. Safety-Reynaldo Hill is invisible & Brian Dawkins no longer can run in coverage, his legs aren't what hey once were. He also has concussion issues.
4. Defensive end-With the conversion to a 4-3 scheme, the Broncos really don't have a defensive end to play in this scheme. OLB Robert Ayers made little impact as a stand-up player, I look for him to be tried back at his original college position, 4-3 defensive end. They have little choice, the cupboard is bare.
5. Cornerback-Bailey returns for season #13 & he continues to make the Pro Bowl. Andre Goodman on the other side is likely to be replaced. He's 32, frequently injured & makes too much money for his performance. Highly touted rookie Perrish Cox came with character issues but the Broncos took him anyway. He lived up to his reputation by being charged with sexual assault & at the least, could be suspended.
With the second overall pick, I expect the Broncos to take Alabama DT Marcell Dareus. He is one of the top-3 players in this draft, he fills a desperate need & he has no personal baggage. Since this draft is weighted toward the defensive side with the exception of safety, look for Denver to take at least 5 defenders in this draft.
Buffalo #3
Bills' coach Chan Gailey loves mobile quarterbacks & would love to see Cam Newton fall to him at #3 overall. Don't count on it. Ryan Fitzpatrick well enough last season to get another year as the Buffalo signal caller. They have so many other needs, especially in the pass rush area, they just can't generate any.They also need a left offensive tackle.
1. Outside linebacker-Someone, anyone who can rush the passer is the top priority for Buffalo. Rookie Aaron Maybin was a disaster last season, so they'll could be gun shy trying to fill that spot already. But his 4 total tackles in 2010 screams for something better.
2. Left offensive tackle-Last year's starter Demetrius Bell will be tried on the right side which has been a sink hole for offensive linemen, they just can't find a quality starter. Bell was just adequate at left tackle, but his skills should be just fine on the right side.
3. Defensive end-Marcus Stroud won't be retained, Spencer Johnson & Dwan Edwards aren't the answer.
4. Quarterback-Fitzpatrick can be a transition quarterback until another is drafted & tutored. Brian Brohm isn't anything better than a 3rd string clipboard holder. Sometime & it may be this week, the Bills are going to need another quarterback.
5. Tight end-When your leading receiver at this position catches but 12 passes, you have issues at tight end.
I expect Gailey to pick Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, a terror rushing the passer. He is top-3 talent in my book, Miller has elite closing speed off the edge to pressure the passer. I expect to see an offensive tackle taken within the first three rounds. Getting a tight end will be difficult, this class is way down talent-wise.
Carolina #1
Is Jimmy Clausen, a 2nd round pick last season, the Panthers' future at quarterback or will they take Cam Newton Thursday night with the first pick? How quickly can this franchise be turned around with a solid draft? At 1-15, new coach Ron Rivera hopes the turn around will happen in a hurry. He has some solid parts to work with. The Panthers have a good offensive line & running game, which can hide a number of warts. Clausen, newton or whoever quarterbacks this team, will need improved receivers, only Steve Smith has a strong track record & even he might be moved. Tight end is another position is real need of upgrade. Defensively, the secondary is shaky with Chris Gamble & Richard Marshall. Captain Munnerlyn played well after Gamble was benched late last season. Their linebackers are good if they can stay healthy. Better defensive tackle play is a must & a defensive end to replace Tyler Brayton, who went sackless in 16 starts.
1. Quarterback-I've never been a Clausen fan, so I think the Panthers will select a quarterback Thursday night & most likely it will be Cam Newton.
2. Defensive tackle-Nick Hayden & Derek Landri won't ever amount to much as NFL starters. There is no developmental depth either. A very close 2nd to quarterback in terms of priority needs.
3. Outside linebacker-Keeping guys on the field week to week has been a problem. Behind starters James Anderson & Thomas Davis there is no one waiting in the wings to step forward & make an impact.
4. Wide receiver-It's unknown if Rivera wants to keep the volatile Smith. Beyond him, it's a hodge-podge of underachievers & wannabes.
5. Tight end-Dante Rosario, Jeff King & Gary Barnidge hardly strikes fear into opposing defenses. A major upgrade is needed if Clausen or whoever is to be successful.
Because the Panthers are trying to turn over a new leaf with a new coach, I'll be surprised if they don't take a quarterback number one. I just believe Clausen isn't that highly thought of within the new coaching staff. If he was, they'd take DT Marcell Dareus of Alabama with the number one pick & then take a wide receiver with their next pick. They don't have a second round selection, having traded it to New England, so it's imperative this first round pick is very successful.
Denver #2
The Broncos desperately need defense, defense & more defense. With the exception of CB Champ Bailey, OLB Elvis Dumervil & ILB Mario Haggan are the only untouchables on defense. That leaves 8 spots to be upgraded, that's a lot. Who will start at quarterback is certainly up in the air, Orton or Tebow? Then there's the wildcard of new Vice president of Football Operations, John Elway. He's been making waves about possibly taking a quarterback, so what Denver will do is a bit of a mystery.
1. Defensive tackle-New coach John Fox will change the defensive scheme back to a 4-3. An anchor is needed to not only stuff the run , but collapse the pocket.
2. Middle linebacker-D.J. Williams had off-field issues & he might not be back. No one behind him.
3. Safety-Reynaldo Hill is invisible & Brian Dawkins no longer can run in coverage, his legs aren't what hey once were. He also has concussion issues.
4. Defensive end-With the conversion to a 4-3 scheme, the Broncos really don't have a defensive end to play in this scheme. OLB Robert Ayers made little impact as a stand-up player, I look for him to be tried back at his original college position, 4-3 defensive end. They have little choice, the cupboard is bare.
5. Cornerback-Bailey returns for season #13 & he continues to make the Pro Bowl. Andre Goodman on the other side is likely to be replaced. He's 32, frequently injured & makes too much money for his performance. Highly touted rookie Perrish Cox came with character issues but the Broncos took him anyway. He lived up to his reputation by being charged with sexual assault & at the least, could be suspended.
With the second overall pick, I expect the Broncos to take Alabama DT Marcell Dareus. He is one of the top-3 players in this draft, he fills a desperate need & he has no personal baggage. Since this draft is weighted toward the defensive side with the exception of safety, look for Denver to take at least 5 defenders in this draft.
Buffalo #3
Bills' coach Chan Gailey loves mobile quarterbacks & would love to see Cam Newton fall to him at #3 overall. Don't count on it. Ryan Fitzpatrick well enough last season to get another year as the Buffalo signal caller. They have so many other needs, especially in the pass rush area, they just can't generate any.They also need a left offensive tackle.
1. Outside linebacker-Someone, anyone who can rush the passer is the top priority for Buffalo. Rookie Aaron Maybin was a disaster last season, so they'll could be gun shy trying to fill that spot already. But his 4 total tackles in 2010 screams for something better.
2. Left offensive tackle-Last year's starter Demetrius Bell will be tried on the right side which has been a sink hole for offensive linemen, they just can't find a quality starter. Bell was just adequate at left tackle, but his skills should be just fine on the right side.
3. Defensive end-Marcus Stroud won't be retained, Spencer Johnson & Dwan Edwards aren't the answer.
4. Quarterback-Fitzpatrick can be a transition quarterback until another is drafted & tutored. Brian Brohm isn't anything better than a 3rd string clipboard holder. Sometime & it may be this week, the Bills are going to need another quarterback.
5. Tight end-When your leading receiver at this position catches but 12 passes, you have issues at tight end.
I expect Gailey to pick Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, a terror rushing the passer. He is top-3 talent in my book, Miller has elite closing speed off the edge to pressure the passer. I expect to see an offensive tackle taken within the first three rounds. Getting a tight end will be difficult, this class is way down talent-wise.
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