Welcome readers to the final day of the blog. Today features almost all of the local favorites: the giants, redskins, ravens, steelers, eagles, and cowboys all have prominent fan bases in Virginia and the surrounding states (though how the cowboys pull that off from Texas still amazes me). Here are the requirements and my picks for the final eight teams:
NFC East
Dallas- The defense got burned a lot last year, and its mainly the secondary's fault. Since there are no Eric Berry's to be drafted in the first round this year, look for Dallas to take a D. End to take pressure off their secondary, or fill holes in their offensive line.
Philly- How the eagles manage to have such a good defense without more than one good corner amazes me. They need someone opposite Asante Samuel, and it's a pretty big need. Another linebacker would be nice, but is really more of a luxury. I would also think that they need a guard, but when your quarterback is Michael Vick, do you really need any offensive line at all?
NYG- You remember how surprised I was about the Philly's defense with only one corner? I'm about 10 times that on the linebacker-less, Superbowl-winning New York Giants. They didnt have linebackers then, and they dont really have them now either. their defense could be downright scary with some extra additions at linebacker and corner. But the line needs touching up too, as Eli is getting sacked far too often.
Washington- the one-of-everything approach? simply put, the redskins don't have enough draft picks to fix what they need to fix. they probably want out of the donovan deal, but they really have got to get some receivers now too. And that's receivers, plural. The line can probably survive for another year, but it's far from perfect. The front 7 actually isnt bad, but they do need a corner... and preferrably a runningback that is not going to get injured!
AFC North
Cincinatti- Carson Palmer clearly is somewhere on the path that is leading out the door. The question is- how much time is left on his Bengal clock? Do they have another year, or do they need a new quarterback right now? Regardless of palmer, the two best WR's (ochocinco and T.O.) are out the door. When your best receiver is Jordan Shipley, you're gonna need to draft some wideouts. Hopefully the organization can show some fictitious devotion to Palmer and draft a receiver, and at least put a bandaid on the qb problem for another year.
Cleveland- so much to fix, so little time. I'm gonna go ahead and call the browns the most damaged team, even though their record from 2010 might not show it (sorry Uncle Dave). the browns have just got to get a wide receiver so SOME quarterback on that team has someone to throw to besides runningback Peyton Hillis. The Brown's entire front 7 needs work, and the whole right side of the O-line needs new life too. Can you trade for a team?
Baltimore- The lack of an offensive tackle is causing everyone to shift around and play out of positions that theyre used to in Baltimore. Is it a big enough problem to require a first round solution? Eh, not by my reckoning. They also need receivers and a corner, but seeing as it is the Ravens, I've gotta think they might take someone that wants to run at the quarterback...
Pittsburgh- Corner is actually a major weakness for the Steelers. Expect them to address it way before any offensive line issues that need to be dealt with.
4. Cincinatti- AJ Green, WR, Georgia. He's an absolute monster and will solve problems on a team that needs receivers in game number one,
6. Cleveland- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. Another beast, another instant solution.
9. Dallas- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin. Nothing they need besides DE is available, and Watt is a good fit for this team.
10. Washington- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska. If it wasn't for some guy named Patrick Peterson, Prince (who comes from the same univerisity as almost-equally-unpronouncable Ndamakung Suh- hope Im spelling that right because that's from memory) would most likely be the best corner in this draft. Instead, he sits on the verge of the top 10 and could fix the giant hole that plagues the redskin's secondary- the same hole that currently leaks everywhere not within 6-10 feet of Deangelo Hall.
19. NYG- Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA. it's not a deep class for linebackers, but not many teams actually need linebackers. please, new york. take Ayers. you need a linebacker. that being said, they will probably take a defensive end...
23. Philly- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado. Jimmy Smith is a guy who was already a mid-first round pick. This week, his stock has risen dramatically. Okay, maybe not that dramatically, because he's still a mid-first round pick... but now people are talking about him! Anyway, the point is he might not make it all the way to 23 because several teams need corners. Philly's saving grace could be that there are several good corners ahead of Smith on the board.
26. Baltimore- Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal. What can I say. With this class, I can't see the ravens not taking a defensive end.
31. Pittsburgh- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (FL)
Tomorrow, I put it all together and offer some final thoughts. And I know many of you like these teams today, so let me hear what you think! Like your potential new team member or hate him? Smart decision, bad decision? Am I dumb? Actually, please don't answer that last question.
4 comments:
I think the giants will probably take Pouncey in the first round, and if not I still would not be surprised if they just picked the best player available, defensive end or not. I like Sturdivant over Ayers too, he was extremely productive at UNC, where the Giants have had some success in the past (lt, hakeem nicks).
i have pouncey going six picks before to miami. if miami passes for mark ingram or someone else, then pouncey will probably fall to ny (though NE has shown interest too and owns a pick in between). that would definitely be a better scenario for the giants i think- like you said, they have had success with UNC picks and would probably love sturdivant, but hes more of a late second/early third round pick and the giants might not take him if they were to use a first round pick on another lb. for your sake i hope your right, its definitely a better scenario for nyg fans
everyone has the ravens taking a d-end and while its a need area i just don't see them taking another one. After picking kruger and kindle who have been underwhelming in the past 2 years I doubt they will take another front 7 defender. I'd look for them to address the offensive line or possibly even a corner if they are in love with jimmy smith or the guy from texas is still there (partially just to spite pittsburgh). Trading down is also a legit possibility and trying to nab a one of the second tier recievers
aaron williams would be nice, yeah. i would find pissing off the steelers would be extremely funny, you know im not a fan. and as for receivers i hope baltimore picks up jonathan baldwin out of pitt, they could use someone with his athleticism in the receiver position. i think they could go after jordan todman in later rounds too, theyve had pretty good success with BE runningbacks
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