With the NFL
combine complete and pro-days in full swing, preparation for the NFL Draft is
underway as teams finalize their boards for the big day. With many key free
agent signings over the past couple weeks, the landscape of team requirements
has changed for what each team will covet in the draft. Let’s start the
speculation process for what each team will be looking for.
NFL Draft Round 1:
Pick 11: Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) | Top
Needs – LB, OL, TE, DL
The best
move during the course of the offseason was undoubtedly removing Marvin Lewis
as the sideline boss for this club. Following a league trend in hiring young
offensive minded talent (Zac Taylor) to lead, should allow the Bengals to
revamp their outlook.
With a
roster littered with inadequacy, the Bengals brain trust definitely has their
work cut out for them. While offensive line could and should be addressed
rather early in this draft, we feel the greater need resides at the line backer
position. Continuing to have patch made solutions in the middle of the field
will again be their downfall if they don’t select a top player at this
position.
With that
said, this team has a great deal to correct, so truly picking the best player
available would warrant no fault. Selecting the best interior offensive linemen
could outplay picking a player of Devin Bush’s caliber.
Pick 12: Green Bay Packers (6-9-1) | Top
Needs – OL, DL, WR, LB
Much like
the Bengals, the Packers are a team that finally moved away from past regimes
and old school thinking and hired offensive minded creativity in Matt LaFleur.
It appears Packers management has finally understood the many wasted years of
Aaron Rodgers prime, and providing a fresh outlook could bring them over the
top.
Entering the
2019 NFL draft, Green Bay finds themselves in a fortunate situation of picking
at the 12th position with a roster that is still comprised of sound
pieces. First and foremost, the Packers have followed a model of believing
Rodgers could overcome all shortcomings of protection from his spotty offensive
line. This is and has been the greatest weakness of this team and should be the
top priority.
While other
positional needs still remain, Green Bay can no longer ignore what could
essentially drive this offense. Look no further than the Indianapolis Colts and
the addition of Quenton Nelson in 2018 to keep Andrew Luck off the turf.
Protect your franchise player with providing him sound protection and the rest
will follow.
Pick 13: Miami Dolphins (7-9) | Top Needs –
QB, WR, DL, OL
Did someone
say tank-season? While no NFL club will actively admit to orchestrating a
losing season, the Miami Dolphins are clearly in that path. Removing high
priced talent, while trading away what was supposed to be their franchise
quarterback (Ryan Tannehill), the Fins under new head coach Brian Flores have a
new vision.
While it’s
not out of the question to see Miami select a new quarterback in hopes to
quickly force success of this rebuild, we really question if they see Dwayne
Haskins or Drew Lock as that answer. Based on speculative reports out of Miami,
they seem to be enamoured with the 2020 quarterback class and hope to be in a
situation to select one next year.
As for 2019,
this draft will act as talent building (if a quarterback isn’t selected) to
help progress a roster that is rather anemic. Building the offensive and
defensive lines are typically the starting points of any roster rebuild, and we
should see Miami head in that direction.
Pick 14: Atlanta Falcons (7-9) | Top Needs
– LB, OL, TE, S
The Atlanta
Falcons as they are currently constructed should never see top 15 selections in
the NFL draft. Last season was a disastrous anomaly where injuries laid the
path, and poor execution followed. Under Coach Dan Quinn, the Flacons continue
to have all the right primary pieces, and simply require some added depth.
While most
will ascertain that the offensive line needs adequate tinkering on the
interior, we could argue two avenues where the Falcons could appropriately add
more value. When Deion Jones went down with a near season long injury last
season, it was abundantly clear that support was clearly lacking. Though this
draft class does possess only two top notch talents at the line backer
position, the Falcons will be hard pressed to snag them at pick 14.
Another
place where Atlanta could become much more explosive is at the tight-end
position. If luck finds them well on draft night, they could be staring Noah
Fant or TJ Hockenson right in the eye, a proposition we find very hard to
ignore. Even though Austin Hooper has done an adequate job for the team in his
tenure, Fant/Hockenson would provide instant mismatches all over the field to
open this talented receiving core that much more.
Adding
talented depth will be key for Atlanta to return to greener pastures in 2019.
Pick 15: Washington Redskins (7-9) | Top
Needs – QB, WR, OL, DL
At this
point, you almost begin to feel sorrow for the Washington Redskins and their
quarterback position. It seems that no matter who they bring in to lead the
charge, catastrophe follows. Losing Alex Smith to a horrific leg injury has
once again placed the Skins to find a Band-Aid approach. Trading for Case
Keenum in our eyes doesn’t preclude Washington from finding a new pivot in this
draft.
Washington
proved that under Alex Smith’s game management skills, they could be
competitive and victorious in the process. While quarterback is the number one
need for this team, filling out this roster will surly rule.
In our eyes,
this defensive group is extremely stout and would only require a few pieces to
lift them to levels of elite nature. It’s our contention that this draft class
should be gaged toward improving this offense, to alleviate the pressure on
this defense. While selecting offensive line is never a bad choice, finding
explosive playmakers to help spread the field might be most appropriate.
Pick 16: Carolina Panthers (7-9) | Top
Needs – DB, OL, DL, WR
Since the
Carolina Panthers allowed Josh Norman to move on a few seasons ago, it’s clear
they have struggled to appropriately fill that void. In reviewing their glaring
needs, defensive back continues to be the largest concern and needs to finally
be rectified.
While
arguments can be made to suggest building out an offensive line is more
important to keep Cam Newton off the turf, we see this as a secondary problem.
Carolina still houses a fairly sound defensive unit that would increase its
prowess with drafting one of the best corners in this class in Greedy Williams.
As the draft
prolongs, the Panthers will also be interested in selecting more defensive line
help to increase their limited sack production from a season ago. While we won’t
be surprised to see offensive line be selected at pick 16, our thought process
is truly swayed to defensive back.
Pick 17: New York Giants (5-11) (From
Cleveland) | Top Needs – QB, OL, DE, WR
With the New
York Giants holding a second first round selection thanks to the Odell Beckham
trade to Cleveland, this pick will be determined on how they choose to move
with the sixth overall pick.
While our
first evaluation for the Giants could see a quarterback (Dwayne Haskins) drafted
to provide a clear succession plan for Eli Manning, or the top wide receiver in
the class (DK Metcalf), we could also see New York snag a top defensive lineman
at six to use this pick to round out the offense.
The Giants
have given themselves many options in this first round with two selections and
should garner the best available talent rather than reaching to fill holes. If
pick six is a quarterback, seeing a wide receiver could transpire to help
supplant the loss of Beckham, while addressing the defensive line in round two.
Pick 18: Minnesota Vikings (8-7-1) | Top
Needs – OL, LB, RB, DL
The
Minnesota Vikings made waves last offseason when they signed top free agent quarterback
commodity (Kirk Cousins) to the fold. While this club still holds a very
healthy roster filled with supreme talents, this is the opportunity for the
Vikings to add protection for their passer.
While
protecting Cousins is the top priority to keep this offense moving,
establishing the run game will do a world of good to the overall outlook.
Having fantastic playmakers on the offensive side in Stefon Diggs, Adam
Thielen, and Dalvin Cook - finding ways to bring it all together rests with
better line play.
It’s not out
of the question to see Minnesota select more defensive help to continue to add
to a position of strength, as adding a defensive tackle could be on the menu.
With some
discussion in our circle regarding the Vikings, one thought was thrown out to
suggest a running back could be selected to help aid Dalvin Cook, while
covering their basis for another potential injury. Could we see Miles Sanders
added to the club to form a dynamic one-two punch opposing teams would fear?
Though this move is quite a long shot, we see the Vikings moving conservatively
and shoring up the offensive line.
Pick 19: Tennessee Titans (9-7) | Top Needs
– LB, DL, TE, WR
On paper,
the Titans appear to have great pieces to compete in the AFC South and
potentially lift themselves to greater pastures in the NFL postseason. However,
the play of Marcus Mariota has definitely left a lot to be desired. Covering
the basis early this offseason, trading for Ryan Tannehill to secure a capable
option at quarterback in case Mariota again finds his way to the medical room
was the guiding factor.
While the
Titans also added other key free agents to help round out the roster in Adam Humphries
and Cameron Wake, these additions should allow them to move in many directions
in the first round. Adding line backer assistance should absolutely be explored
to help add to the middle of their defense.
Defensive
line could surely be the pick here as well in the form of defensive tackle or
edge rushing support. The way this roster is built, Tennessee could turn out to
become quick a force in 2019 with a sound draft class.
Pick 20: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6-1) | Top
Needs – LB, DB, DL, WR
The Steelers
have been making headlines these past few seasons with disgruntled super star
talent wanting to remove themselves from the organization. First with the
conclusion of the LeVeon Bell situation, then seeing Antonio Brown being
shipped to the Oakland Raiders for draft pick compensation, a new page will be written
in steel-town.
When reviewing
the Steelers roster, the insufficiency surely rests on the defensive side where
adding depth will clearly be the objective. Finding a suitable replacement for
the loss of Ryan Shazier should be on their minds to secure another top tear
talent at the middle line backer position. Though both Devin White and Devin
Bush should be off the board when Pittsburgh is on the clock, they could move
in another direction giving the depth at defensive line in this draft.
It’s not inconceivable
to witness the Steelers select a wide receiver to replace Antonio Brown, but
given their pedigree in picking pass catchers in their history, we are sure
they have someone pegged in the later rounds.
Defensive
back continues to be a glaring need for Pittsburgh, one in which they can’t
seem to get right. Could we again see the Steelers use a first round pick in
hopes to shore up the corner back position providing a running-mate to go along
with Joe Haden?
Pick 21: Seattle Seahawks (10-6) | Top
Needs – WR, TE, S, DB
The Seattle Seahawks
made waves last season proving their doubters wrong with a clear rebuild on the
horizon, which Pete Carroll turned into a simply re-tinkering.
While we
preached our support for the Hawks much improved offensive line last season, it
came with great criticism from the masses. Seattle again added more depth to
the interior which should allow Seattle to again be a dominating force on the
ground.
While the
defense should again be the subject of adding more talent, we can’t envision any
situation where the Seahawks don’t select an offensive pass catcher to help
Russell Wilson. With recent news that Doug Baldwin will again be heading for
another surgery, (seeing that his body is clearly breaking down), it’s time for
Seattle to be more proactive and give Wilson adequate playmakers.
Depending on
how the draft board shakes out, Seattle would have the chance to secure a receiver
or tight-end talent that would instantly help Wilson and this pass game. With
defensive line depth highlighting this draft class, picking the best offensive weapon
will go a long way for the Hawks in 2019.
Picks
22-32 to follow – Stay Tuned…
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