With a completely different fabric
in preparing for the NFL Draft, teams continue finalize their boards for the
big day that will go ahead. With many key free agent signings over the past several
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: New York Jets (7-9) | Top
Needs – EDGE, OL, WR, DB, RB
When Adam Gase was hired to reform
this Jets roster, the first year gave some level of optimism but again fell far
short of expectations. Heading into the 2020 NFL draft, New York requires a glut
of pieces to help aid in another transition to help make them a better overall
team.
On paper, the Jets do require a
massive talent infusion and in our eyes, it begins in the trenches. Both
offensive and defensive lines could use a healthy makeover and it should begin
with protecting Sam Darnold. However, we have always been advocates of taking the
best player on the board in round one, and we could see many fans cheer loud
with what could come to pass. Depending on how this draft falls, New York has
the potential to snag one of the top two pass catchers in this loaded receiver
draft class. Ceedee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy should still be on the board at pick
11 leaving the choice to whom coach Gase prefers.
For our appetite, there is no
question that if Lamb is sitting waiting for his phone to ring – they
absolutely must pull the trigger. Gaining a potential elite super star can
never be passed up, leaving the Jets to fill other major needs later in the draft.
Pick 12: Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) |
Top Needs – WR, DB, OL, DL
Truly, when we review the Raiders
roster as a whole, there isn’t a lot to be discouraged about after the recent
slew of signings from the free agent period. Wide receiver is undoubtedly the
largest need for high level talent and we could see that rectified at pick 12.
With the Jets in the same boat in
looking for a primary pass catcher, the Raiders might not get their top choice
but will have a very solid secondary option. This selection should be either
Ceedee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy as well and we find it hard to believe they will
alter that approach. Moving to Vegas provides a new image that will need to be
built, and what better way to do that than giving Derek Carr a true difference
maker hauling in passes on the regular.
This Raiders club isn’t far off
and will definitely show sound improvement with a few more pieces of fabulous
skill.
Pick 13: San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
(From IND) | Top Needs – WR, DB, S, OL
While the 49ers found their way
from being in the super bowl to having great fortune to select with the 13th
overall pick – it did come at a cost in trading Deforest Buckner to the Colts
in exchange. Understandably, San Francisco knew they couldn’t afford all their
high-end talent to which a tough choice needed to be made.
Nevertheless, the 49ers may have
done some magic here and will position themselves to again challenge to reach
the heights of the super bowl. While we could suggest defensive back is the
greatest need for this team, adding more weapons for Jimmy Garoppolo should be
the way the 49ers move. Snagging a true deep threat to stretch the field would
do wonders in limiting the number of stacked boxes in 2020. With that said, we
could envision a situation where they add to the defense which is the team
strength and snag CJ Henderson who is shaping up like a true difference maker
at the corner position.
Perhaps, adding the drafts best
safety in Xavier McKinney could be a way to help this back-end as his versatility
would be a welcomed addition. No matter how you cut it, the 49ers don’t have
many needs and will be looking prime come the start of the season.
Pick 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
| Top Needs – OL, RB, DB, S
With an interesting off-season already taking shape, the Buccaneers have lured the great Tom Brady to
potentially finish out his career in Florida. Coach Brice Arians has mentioned
on more than one occasion that having a leader like Brady could take this club
to the promise land. Holding the 14th pick in the first round, Tampa
Bay could literally move in a few directions, but fixing the offensive line
would be paramount. It’s no secret that Brady isn’t a mobile passer and would
require more protection then what Jameis Winston had the previous season.
While we would never condone
reaching for a lineman if the talent doesn’t warrant the value of the pick, the
Bucs could again attempt solidifying the defensive back room with drafting
another high round corner. At 14, we would likely see CJ Henderson or AJ
Terrell a viable option to help improve the play of this secondary. With a defensive
front as good as any in the NFL, shoring up the back-end is a glaring need.
Staying the course of adding to
major needs on this roster, we will see the Bucs add another running back to
the fold from a class that has sound talent. Could we see Tampa Bay trade down
in hopes to secure more picks while selecting a running back in the first round
– its not out of the question.
Pick 15: Denver Broncos (7-9) |
Top Needs – OL, WR, LB, DL
In review of the Denver Broncos
and how John Elway needs to move in this draft, there is no question that
offensive line is still the most glaring need. Having youngster Drew Lock
looking the part of being the potential answer at the quarterback position, his
success will be determent on how good his protection will be. Many
prognosticators are suggesting wide receiver is the top priority for this club,
but we will argue that every day of the week.
Line backer is another area which
needs refinement and we could witness the Broncos pilfer the best in the class.
While we aren’t overly encouraged with the overall talent from the line backers
in this draft, a few will make a case they deserve to be picked around this
point. On paper, if this team could add a few key pieces to help aid in the
retooling – we could see Denver again challenge to earn a playoff spot.
Key names that could be selected
at pick 15 include – Henry Ruggs, Justin Jefferson, Andrew Thomas, Javon Kinlaw
and Kenneth Murray. Depending on how the board falls, all these players have a
shot to wear Bronco blue and orange.
Pick 16: Atlanta Falcons (7-9) |
Top Needs – LB, S, DB, OL, WR
The Atlanta Falcons are a team
that have grossly underachieved since reaching and losing the super bowl and need
to re-stack the cupboards to have any shot in competing in a very difficult NFC.
The books are filled with cap issues which has limited the Falcons front office
to resign their own talent while being players on the open market. With that
said, Atlanta made a few big splashes this off-season in signing Donte Fowler
and Todd Gurley to the mix to help correct key flaws on both sides.
With those added play-makers, it
provides the Falcons more wiggle room to go after the best available talent on
the board at pick 16. While we could suggest linebacker is a key pick at this
point, we would love to see Atlanta think about selecting Xavier McKinney.
While we understand some may scoff at that notion, but McKinney would be a perfect
compliment to the back-end with his supreme versatility. McKinney has the
ability to play both free safety or nickel back without losing a step. His skill
in run support would also promote movement schemes to help create mismatches on
the defensive side. Teaming up Keanu Neal and McKinney would transform this
defense in more ways than one.
Pick 17: Dallas Cowboys (8-8) |
Top Needs – DB, OL, WR, LB
When you review the Cowboys roster,
they are truly the best 8-8 club we’ve seen in quite some time. This team is
loaded with talent and have added to that via the open market to make things
look even more impressive. In our eyes, there aren’t many holes to fill and
Dallas will be looking to add more depth than starting pieces from this class.
With that said, the Cowboys will
be in the market to improve the defensive backfield after they lost Byron Jones
to free agency. Line backer is another need simply with the amount of injuries
they have endured and will need support for a full 16-game slate. Improving the
offensive line is now more of a need than ever, as Travis Frederick announced
his retirement this off-season. With a new coaching staff ready to change the
fabric of how the offense and defense improve, a solid draft class could take
them over the top.
Pick 18: Miami Dolphins (5-11)
(From PIT) | Top Needs – QB, OL, RB, S, EDGE
With the plethora of picks Miami
has at their disposal, here we find them again on the board at 18 overall. Our
first evaluation had the Dolphins selecting a quarterback of the future to help
finally bring them back to competitive ranks. Staying the course of reloading
this offense which holds so many needs, skill positions like receiver or running
back could be what the doctor ordered.
While we completely agree that
offensive line is the next major issue, the value might not be here to reach on
that position. Could running back be out of the question at this pick with
either DeAndre Swift or Johnathan Taylor becoming the new lead back for this
team? Perhaps adding to the receiving core with potentially Henry Ruggs, Justin
Jefferson, or Jalen Reagor would be the way to move? While those pass catchers
would bring sound optimism for an improved pass attack – snagging one of the
top runners would be the way we would move at pick 18.
Pick 20: Jacksonville Jaguars
(6-10) (From LAR) | Top Needs – DL, DB, OL, S
Much like the Dolphins, the
Jaguars find themselves in a great situation with a sound amount of selections
to rebuild the roster. With their first pick sitting at nine overall, we intimated
that defensive back or defensive line would be the appropriate way forward. It surely
isn’t out of the question to witness either position be selected at nine to follow
that up with the other major need.
With that, we would also recommend
looking at the offensive line to be the next plausible choice, but like we
mentioned with other clubs sitting around this spot in the draft – the value
might not be here. Going off the reservation to find the best available player,
could we see a wide receiver added to assist Gardner Minshew in his progression?
Needless to say, the Jaguars are in complete transition with how they removed
many talents from their roster and we could see a very similar build as in the
past. We would bet on the fact that defensive line and defensive back would be
the top choices – but wouldn’t be shocked to see a different position snagged
here.
Pick 21: Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
| Top Needs – OL, LB, S, WR, RB
As we review the many options the
Eagles will have at pick 21, many believe they will be in the market to add
another wide receiver. While we wouldn’t argue that point with high confidence,
there is the potential we see the Eagles move in a completely different direction.
The thought from most is, the Eagles pass catchers aren’t solid, but injuries
are what derailed the output from a season ago. Still having Alshon Jeffery and
DeSean Jackson ready to go – securing a more glaring need should be a
consideration.
As we look over the Eagles roster,
linebacker and safety view as a major concern and would become a major problem
as the season wears on. The defensive front is again stacked and will produce and
mask the inadequacy the linebackers will provide; we truly won’t be surprised to
see a defensive captain added. Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen have been
regarded as the best linebackers on the board and would bring good value to
pick placement for Philadelphia.
For our money, there is no
question the Eagles will add a wide receiver somewhere along the way, but securing
the top talent in positions of need may be the better path forward.
Picks 22 to 32 to follow – Stay
Tuned…
Comments
Post a Comment