I believe we need 7 impact players next year, and with $20 million or more cap space dollars to play with, we should be able to find them.
Free Agency
1. QB - I think a veteran, such as Jon Kitna or Patrick Ramsey, may be the 2-year stop gap we need to develop a young QB, which I hope we pick up in the mid or late rounds of next year's draft.
2. WR - We need a #1 WR....Chris Chambers is not the leader for our receiving corp and we will not be competitive unless we have a consistent gamer. Again, I would like to see us sign a veteran because the upcoming draft appears to be weak in WR's.
3. CB - A veteran, such as Nate Clements, I believe is needed to solidify the secondary. I personally don't want Sam or Reggie back next year. I think Clements, along with Will Poole, Travis Daniels, and Shirdonya Mitchell will make for an interesting secondary.
The Draft
4. DE - I don't think David Bowens or Matt Roth is the answer at DE. Bowens may not even be here next year and Roth may play more LB in the 3-4. With guys like Mario Williams (my favorite) or Matthew K from BC in the draft, we can't pass on a pass rusher. Besides, Jason is now dirty thirty and we have to face facts that he won't be with us much longer.
5. LB - Junior is gone and Zach is getting long in the tooth, which really leaves Crowder as our only solid prospect at LB. This year's draft features a lot of good LB's and I think we have to grab one, especially as we convert to more of a 3-4 defense.
6. LT - Offensive line is no longer the priority it once was, but there are many L good LT's coming out in this year's draft, so it makes sense to grab one. Even though McIntosh has improved greatly, he is over 30 and will never be great. You don't often get a chance to get a stud LT and this may be our last chance to find one in the draft.
*DT - The one exception to take a DT is Ngota if he is available. He is a freak and may simply be too good to pass up. If we don't draft a DT, I am not particularly worried because I think the young guys, Vickerson and Wright will step up and I think Carter and Holliday, maybe even Traylor have at least another year or two left.
I believe other positions of need such as Center and Safety can easily be filled with low draft picks or inexpensive free agents.
Free Agency
1. QB - I think a veteran, such as Jon Kitna or Patrick Ramsey, may be the 2-year stop gap we need to develop a young QB, which I hope we pick up in the mid or late rounds of next year's draft.
2. WR - We need a #1 WR....Chris Chambers is not the leader for our receiving corp and we will not be competitive unless we have a consistent gamer. Again, I would like to see us sign a veteran because the upcoming draft appears to be weak in WR's.
3. CB - A veteran, such as Nate Clements, I believe is needed to solidify the secondary. I personally don't want Sam or Reggie back next year. I think Clements, along with Will Poole, Travis Daniels, and Shirdonya Mitchell will make for an interesting secondary.
The Draft
4. DE - I don't think David Bowens or Matt Roth is the answer at DE. Bowens may not even be here next year and Roth may play more LB in the 3-4. With guys like Mario Williams (my favorite) or Matthew K from BC in the draft, we can't pass on a pass rusher. Besides, Jason is now dirty thirty and we have to face facts that he won't be with us much longer.
5. LB - Junior is gone and Zach is getting long in the tooth, which really leaves Crowder as our only solid prospect at LB. This year's draft features a lot of good LB's and I think we have to grab one, especially as we convert to more of a 3-4 defense.
6. LT - Offensive line is no longer the priority it once was, but there are many L good LT's coming out in this year's draft, so it makes sense to grab one. Even though McIntosh has improved greatly, he is over 30 and will never be great. You don't often get a chance to get a stud LT and this may be our last chance to find one in the draft.
*DT - The one exception to take a DT is Ngota if he is available. He is a freak and may simply be too good to pass up. If we don't draft a DT, I am not particularly worried because I think the young guys, Vickerson and Wright will step up and I think Carter and Holliday, maybe even Traylor have at least another year or two left.
I believe other positions of need such as Center and Safety can easily be filled with low draft picks or inexpensive free agents.