Friday, March 28, 2014

AFC North Team Needs

Baltimore Ravens
Wide Receiver
The Ravens need to continue to surround Joe Flacco with weapons.  Torrey Smith and Steve Smith gives them a start, but what they are lacking is that guy that can go up and get it. Mike Evans (Texas A&M) and Kelvin Benjamin would be options in the first, but Allen Robinson (Penn State) is a sleeper pick on day two.

Defensive End
When Arthur Jones signed with Indianapolis that opened up a gaping hole at the defensive end position. Florida State's Tim Jernigan is very stout at the line and could slide right into Jones' old position, but he may not be there. They may have to wait till the third or fourth round and take somebody like UCLA's Cassius Marsh.

Free Safety
Matt Elam had an up and down year. He's average at the free safety position, but would be even better sliding over to the strong safety position. If Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor are available it he first round they'd jump.  However they're a good chance they'd take a Jimmie Ward (Northern Illinois) in the second round.

Right Tackle
Just like Arthur Jones, the loss of Michael Oher hurts more than people think. Oher was a rock solid right tackle who also played left tackle when needed.  Baltimore has to take somebody because Ricky Wagner isn't starting material. They'll need athletic guys to run Kubiak's zone blocking scheme. Joel Bitonio (Nevada) in the second round could be an option.

Center
They want Gino Gradkowski to be their center, but he just didn't play very good this past season. He'll get a second chance, but the Ravens should look for a backup in case Gino flops again. A player to watch is Gabe Ikard from Oklahoma who is a good athlete and would fit well in the zone blocking scheme.

Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive End
With Michael Johnson with Tampa Bay the Bengals have a need for a pass rusher at defensive end. Kony Ealy and Dee Ford are possibilities, but the Bengals like ends with length at end so that could rule those players out.  Instead they could wait till the second round to take the rising 6'6 Kareem Martin from North Carolina.

Left Tackle
Andrew Whitworth really flourished moving inside to guard. The Bengals want to keep him there, but with Anthony Collins signing in Tampa Bay they'll need to find a replacement tackle. Morgan Moses of Virginia is likely the only one in the first, otherwise they'll have to take a chance on somebody like a Billy Turner from North Dakota State later.

Cornerback
A deep class should allow them to fix a position that hasn't been the same in years. Leon Hall has had three knee injuries while Terrence Newman is nearing the end. Bradley Roby (Ohio State) is an option in the first, but with bigger needs they could wait till Day 2 and take EJ Gaines (Missouri) or Marcus Roberson (Florida).

Safety
Not a huge need, but George Iloka and Reggie Nelson are only average. Safety has become so important in this league that having a playmaker can really enhance any defense. Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix of Alabama would be a slam dunk pick at 24, but he's likely gone.  Another option could be an underrated Ed Reynolds from Stanford in round three.

Wide Receiver
AJ Green is arguably one of the top five recievers in the NFL, but the rest of his supporting cast is average at best. If the Bengals offense is to take the next step it would help to add a competent second option. LSU's Jarvis Landry or South Carolina's Bruce Ellington in the third or fourth round could really give them a dynamic player out in the slot.

Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Forget franchise quarterback, they've struggled finding a quarterback to give them consecutive good seasons. Brian Hoyer showed promise, but not enough to convince he is their future. Picking fourth the Browns have a shot at the top quarterbacks, but with an additional first rounder they have the luxury of letting one fall to them or taking Fresno State's David Carr.

Guard
With Alex Mack, Joe Thomas, and Mitchell Schwartz, the Browns have the foundations of one of the best lines in football.  But their guard play is what's holding them back.  With Kyle Shanahan as their new offensive coordinator they'll be running a zone scheme and want good athletes. UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo and Baylor's Cyril Richardson would fit perfectly.

Free Safety
Losing TJ Ward was huge, mainly because Tashaun Gipson would be their starter. Gipson plays like a backup. Having the 26th pick the Browns would love to see Calvin Pryor or Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix be available. Instead they should target Florida State's Lamarcus Joyner in the second round. Joyner's play making ability is getting Tyrann Mathieu comparisons. 

Wide Receiver
Picking Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft was a steal for the Browns. But outside of Gordon and Jordan Cameron, the Browns lack reliable threats. If available at pick four Sammie Watkins is a no brainer. Although settling for either Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin or Vanderbilt's Jordan Matthews would be good additions to work the middle of the field.

Cornerback
Since finding gold in Joe Haden, they've struggled to pair him with another quality cornerback. Taking Justin Gilbert with the fourth overall pick could be an option, they'd be better off waiting till at least day two.  Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste has the size teams are coveting, while Florida's Marcus Roberson's film shows more than his predraft work.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Cornerback
Ike Taylor has been their top cornerback but he's struggled to slow other teams top receiver. If they can find a lock down corner their blitz packages could be deadly. Pittsburgh doesn't normally trade up, but to get either Justin Gilbert or Darqueze Dennard they'd need to. Otherwise they'd have to hope they can get lucky on day two.

Wide Receiver
With Emmanuel Sanders signing with the Broncos it makes it two years straight the Steelers have lost a starting receiver. Oregon State's Brandin Cooks or Colorado's Paul Richardson are both similar to what they've had with Sanders and Wallace. However offensive coordinator Todd Haley likes more of a shorter passing game, so Texas A&M's Mike Evans could be their target.

Defensive End
Even though Evander Hood hadn't been playing up to his potential, his departure leaves a void. Steve McLendon could be moved to end, but they'd still need some more depth no matter what.  They won't target anybody early, but the Steelers could target one of the Stanford duo of Ben Gardner and Josh Mauro in the fourth round.

Outside Linebacker
Jason Worilds emergence allows the Steelers to part ways with Lamar Woodley.  But that means they need Jarvis Jones to step up and be the guy who was projected as a top five pick. With all that aside they need to add depth. BYU's Kyle Van Noy and Stanford's Trent Murphy would fit their scheme well.

Inside Linebacker
Lawrence Timmons continues to be solid in the middle, but the Steelers should really try to upgrade from Vince Williams. CJ Mosley from Alabama is an option at fifteen if there isn't a better value, otherwise they'd likely have to wait till the third or fourth rounds and get a player like Louisville's Preston Brown.

No comments:

Post a Comment