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Here are the major needs (potential and essential):
Offense:
WR - Forget trying to defend Chambers as a legit #1 WR. Despite the statistical breakdown in another post - the problem it did not capture was his inability to get significant separation. Maybe it's coaching; scheme; route running. But, he struggles to break free and is not as fast as he used to be. I think we need a speedster and a game breaker here, desperately so.
LT - McIntosh is a free agent and played well late. He may be the top LT on the market. I don't want to over pay for him. So, we'll see. But, LT may be a position we have to fill - even if he comes back we may want to.
OG - we do have three OG's who were injured, though two may not be here anymore (McKinney & Anderson) and we have Shelton who may turn out to be a solid player there. And, there is Toledo and Fonoti - either of whom could be competitive. Nevertheless, the interior of the OL is soft and needs a tough player here.
TE - It's possible this may not be a need area. But, McMichael is unstable (on and off the field and in the locker room). He is too much baggage for too little production. If he were getting 90 catches and 10 TD's a year - that would be different - we'd tolerate some of his instability. He's not. I'd look for a better one at some point. A trade is a possibility.
Defense:
DE - With Carter's huge salary - he's likely gone, unless he wants to stay and renegotiate. Roth is very good, but the rotation really works well. You need to have 6-8 DL's who can rotate.
DT - Wilkinson is gone; Trailor is aging and can't go a full game for very long. Holliday is getting up there and had a good year - he's also a free agent. He will be tough to keep. We have a couple of young guys with potential (Evans; Vickerson), but are the ready to start? Very questionable.
OLB - We need another starter who can make big plays. This is the highest priority on the D, imo. A guy who can stop the run or rush the passer would be an important upgrade. Someone on the other side of JT who can compliment him. Grooming a young MLB would be useful as well.
CB/S - We need some more depth here and possibly another starter at CB. I would not want to spend a high draft pick on another defensive back. But, I'd look at free agency.
Solutions? Here's mine:
Look at free agency for all positions, depending on talent depth. But, especially at OLB (there are potentially 2/3 very good ones); LT; CB; and depth on the DL. If Asante Samuel (CB) is available and not franchised, I'd take a serious look at him. Also, if either Briggs or Adalius Thomas are available at OLB - I'd give serious consideration to them. Thomas is more of a pass rusher and gives you that flexibility; Briggs is a solid tackler, run stopper and would fit the position well. Getting a good OLB and CB would be a huge plus - though both are longshots.
In the draft - I'd look to offense in the higher rounds and hope to find a gem or two on D in the lower rounds. The positions I like are:
WR - Tedd Ginn, if he's available. He may be gone to Minnesota before we can get him. Though he's behind Calvin Johnson, this kid has game-breaking speed and great return instincts. He would be instantly a punt/KO returner and a deep threat at #3 spot. If he works hard, he has Steve Smith-like potential. I'd also go for another WR later on - even as early as 3rd/4th round - we need an influx of talent at some of these positions.
OG - 2nd round, imo. Take the best O-lineman available here. Usually, the top tackles are taken in round 1. A center might be good here as well if there is a top guy at the time - we could move Hadnot to OG. I'd also look to draft another lineman latter (4th or 6th round).
DL - 3rd round/4th round slot.
Of course, you are always looking for the best talent at each draft slot. But, if we can trade down effectively and there is a good player in the round at these positions - then go for that.
And, I think Meuller should be signed (I've said this many times before) to a new deal and he should run the draft - not Cameron.
Offense:
WR - Forget trying to defend Chambers as a legit #1 WR. Despite the statistical breakdown in another post - the problem it did not capture was his inability to get significant separation. Maybe it's coaching; scheme; route running. But, he struggles to break free and is not as fast as he used to be. I think we need a speedster and a game breaker here, desperately so.
LT - McIntosh is a free agent and played well late. He may be the top LT on the market. I don't want to over pay for him. So, we'll see. But, LT may be a position we have to fill - even if he comes back we may want to.
OG - we do have three OG's who were injured, though two may not be here anymore (McKinney & Anderson) and we have Shelton who may turn out to be a solid player there. And, there is Toledo and Fonoti - either of whom could be competitive. Nevertheless, the interior of the OL is soft and needs a tough player here.
TE - It's possible this may not be a need area. But, McMichael is unstable (on and off the field and in the locker room). He is too much baggage for too little production. If he were getting 90 catches and 10 TD's a year - that would be different - we'd tolerate some of his instability. He's not. I'd look for a better one at some point. A trade is a possibility.
Defense:
DE - With Carter's huge salary - he's likely gone, unless he wants to stay and renegotiate. Roth is very good, but the rotation really works well. You need to have 6-8 DL's who can rotate.
DT - Wilkinson is gone; Trailor is aging and can't go a full game for very long. Holliday is getting up there and had a good year - he's also a free agent. He will be tough to keep. We have a couple of young guys with potential (Evans; Vickerson), but are the ready to start? Very questionable.
OLB - We need another starter who can make big plays. This is the highest priority on the D, imo. A guy who can stop the run or rush the passer would be an important upgrade. Someone on the other side of JT who can compliment him. Grooming a young MLB would be useful as well.
CB/S - We need some more depth here and possibly another starter at CB. I would not want to spend a high draft pick on another defensive back. But, I'd look at free agency.
Solutions? Here's mine:
Look at free agency for all positions, depending on talent depth. But, especially at OLB (there are potentially 2/3 very good ones); LT; CB; and depth on the DL. If Asante Samuel (CB) is available and not franchised, I'd take a serious look at him. Also, if either Briggs or Adalius Thomas are available at OLB - I'd give serious consideration to them. Thomas is more of a pass rusher and gives you that flexibility; Briggs is a solid tackler, run stopper and would fit the position well. Getting a good OLB and CB would be a huge plus - though both are longshots.
In the draft - I'd look to offense in the higher rounds and hope to find a gem or two on D in the lower rounds. The positions I like are:
WR - Tedd Ginn, if he's available. He may be gone to Minnesota before we can get him. Though he's behind Calvin Johnson, this kid has game-breaking speed and great return instincts. He would be instantly a punt/KO returner and a deep threat at #3 spot. If he works hard, he has Steve Smith-like potential. I'd also go for another WR later on - even as early as 3rd/4th round - we need an influx of talent at some of these positions.
OG - 2nd round, imo. Take the best O-lineman available here. Usually, the top tackles are taken in round 1. A center might be good here as well if there is a top guy at the time - we could move Hadnot to OG. I'd also look to draft another lineman latter (4th or 6th round).
DL - 3rd round/4th round slot.
Of course, you are always looking for the best talent at each draft slot. But, if we can trade down effectively and there is a good player in the round at these positions - then go for that.
And, I think Meuller should be signed (I've said this many times before) to a new deal and he should run the draft - not Cameron.
