Offseason Needs: Minnesota Vikings

1. Wide Receiver
The Minnesota Vikings need to upgrade the talent around Christian Ponder. Michael Jenkins has already been cut, and to make matters worse, it sounds as though Percy Harvin could be traded at some point this offseason. This is a position that must be address with a high-profile free agent, or in the first round of the draft.

2. Linebacker
The Vikings could use an upgrade at both middle and weak-side linebacker, especially if Erin Henderson isn’t re-signed. Arthur Brown and Alec Ogletree could be options in the first round.

3. Defensive Tackle
The Williams wall crumbled a few years ago and the Vikings interior defensive line hasn’t been the same since. They could use a nose tackle to plug in next to Kevin Williams.

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Team Needs Leave a comment

Offseason Needs: Cincinnati Bengals

1. Weak-side linebacker
The Cincinnati Bengals have relatively few glaring holes to fill. As a result, their primary needs are fairly specific. Vontaze Burfict is expected to shift to inside linebacker to replace Rey Maualuga, leaving a gaping hole on the weak side. This could be addressed in the second round with Arthur Brown.

2. Right Tackle
Re-signing Andre Smith would solve this issue, but he’s expected to command a fairly hefty price tag, and considering his inconsistency and weight issues, he may not be worth it. The Bengals may consider addressing this in the first round with Alabama’s D.J. Fluker.

3. Running Back
BenJarvus Green-Ellis is servicable, and the Bengals could certainly survive another year with him as the feature back. But they should at least entertain the idea of adding a younger option such as Eddie Lacy in the first or second round.

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Bengals, Team Needs Leave a comment

Offseason Needs: Chicago Bears

1. Offensive Line
If the Chicago Bears could pull it off, they would love to tear down the offensive line and start over in 2013. Even 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi’s job is in jeopardy, as he may be moved inside to guard in the near future. They have to come away with at least one starting lineman in free agency and another within the first three rounds of the draft.

2. Tight End
The Bears have some of the best blocking tight ends in the league in Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth, but with Mike Martz long gone it’s time to find another pass catcher. Tyler Eifert would be a great addition in the first round.

3. Linebacker
The Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs era is nearly over, and no one on the current roster is ready to fill their shoes. Both could be back in 2013, but youth and depth are definitely needed.

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Bears, Team Needs 1 Comment

New York Giants offseason needs

1. Middle Linebacker
The New York Giants can’t seem to find a capable mike linebacker. Chase Blackburn, Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams have all tried and failed to fill the hole over the past two seasons. Kevin Minter and Alec Ogletree could be options in the first round. Manti Te’o is another possibility.

2. Tight End
Martellus Bennett may be re-signed, but if he’s allowed to walk the Giants have a glaring hole at tight end. Bear Pascoe is a great blocking tight end, but Eli Manning needs someone who can be a weapon in the passing game. Tom Coughlin has always preferred well-rounded tight ends, which limits his options, but Tyler Eifert might be a perfect fit in the first round.

3. Offensive Line
The Giants could get by in 2013 with the line as its currently constructed, but the could use some upgrades (especially at left guard) and some added depth. Three of their starters (Diehl, Snee and Baas) are 31 or older.

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Giants, Team Needs 1 Comment

Dallas Cowboys offseason needs

1. Offensive Line
Tyron Smith and Nate Livings have the left side of the Dallas Cowboys line under control, but the other three positions are up for grabs. Right guard might be the most glaring hole, but there’s been talk of moving Doug Free inside, which would open up the right tackle position. D.J. Fluker could be an option in the first round.

2. Defensive Line
The Cowboys don’t have a glaring hole in the defensive line, but depth is needed and a few upgrades couldn’t hurt. There transitioning to Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 defense, which means personnel changes are definitely coming. Kawann Short could be a first-round possibility.

3. Strong Safety
Neither Danny McCray nor Barry Church have gotten the job done in recent years. They need to add a safety who can step up and play the run. Matt Elam would be a great addition in the second round.

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Cowboys, Team Needs Leave a comment

Offseason Needs: Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Wide Receiver
It’s starting to look like the Pittsburgh Steelers will let Mike Wallace sign elsewhere, opening up a hole in their receiving corps. Ben Roethlisberger has asked for a tall receiver in the past and instead was given Wallace (6’0″), Antonio Brown (5’10″) and Emmanuel Sanders (5’11″). This is a deep class of receivers, making it the perfect time for the Steelers to finally grant Big Ben his wish.

2. Outside Linebacker
James Harrison turns 35 in May is only a shell of his former self. The Steelers may chose to save some money and cut him loose this offseason. Jason Worilds will be first in line for his starting job, but some depth is needed.

3. Offensive Line
The Steelers continue to surround Ben Roethlisberg with one of the league’s worst offensive line. As he enters his 10th year in the league, protecting him becomes even more important. Max Starks and Ramon Foster are unrestricted free agent who may be let go. The Steelers may do some reshuffling of the line, so it’s tough to say which positions need to be filled, but they definitely need to address the situation.

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Steelers, Team Needs Leave a comment

Offseason Needs: St. Louis Rams

1. Wide Receiver
The St. Louis Rams need to upgrade the supporting cast around Sam Bradford. Even if Danny Amendola is re-signed, the Rams need to find Bradford a legitimate No. 1 receiver. After a hot start, Amendola came back down to earth and ended his season with a thud. In the final three weeks, Amendola caught just 12 of 25 passes thrown his direction.

2. Offensive Line
Rodger Saffold is a quality start, but may be better suited to shift to the right side of the line. The Rams could also use an upgrade over free agent left guard Robert Turner. Right tackle Barry Richardson is also an unrestricted free agent.

3. Strong-side linebacker
Veteran Rocky McIntosh is a free agent and likely won’t be back. The Rams lack depth at linebacker and don’t have anyone capable of stepping up to fill his shoes. This could be a position addressed on day two of the draft.

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Rams, Team Needs Leave a comment

Offseason Needs: New Orleans Saints

1. Outside Linebacker
The New Orleans Saints are in the process of transitioning to a 3-4 defense under the guidance of Rob Ryan. And it could be a difficult switch of they can’t add the necessary puzzle pieces this offseason. Will Smith could potentially play with his hand off the ground, but he’s a candidate to be a cap casualty. If Smith is cut loose, the Saints may need two new starting outside linebackers.

2. Defensive Line
Akiem Hicks may be able to play nose tackle, but it’s a role in which he has limited experience – and none in a 3-4 system. If Sedrick Ellis is not re-signed, they’ll also need a defensive end.

3. Safety
Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins are both coming off disappointing seasons and probably aren’t in the Saints long-term plans. Harper is due to earn over $11 million combined over the next two seasons, making him a candidate for release.

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Saints, Team Needs Leave a comment

Offseason Needs: Carolina Panthers

1. Defensive Tackle
The Carolina Panthers selected Sione Fua and Terrell McClain in the third round of the 2011 draft to solidify their interior line. McClain is now gone and Fua is coming off another disappointing year. The Panthers top priority this offseason needs to be to solve their issues up front on defense.

2. Wide Receiver
Steve Smith is still playing at a high level and Brandon LaFell was a solid contributor this year. But Cam Newton needs another weapon to help continue his development as a passer. In the second or third round the Panthers should consider bringing another receiver aboard.

3. Offensive line
Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil are still locked in to starting roles. And left guard Amini Silatolu will be given at least one more year to develop. But the right side of the line is a liability. Veteran guard Geoff Hangartner and right tackle Byron Bell could both be replaced this offseason.

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Panthers, Team Needs 1 Comment

Offseason Needs: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Cornerback
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been thin in the secondary for a few years. They added a major piece of the puzzle with Mark Barron last year, but they still need to upgrade the situation at cornerback. Eric Wright was overpaid last offseason and is now likely to be cut loose.

2. Inside Linebacker
2011 third-round pick Mason Foster has failed to develop and the Bucs could take advantage of a deep class of inside linebackers. Alec Ogletree and Kevin Minter could be first-round options.

3. Defensive tackle
Gerald McCoy is locked in as a starter as the three-technique, but the Bucs could use a nose tackle to plug in next to him. Brian Price failed to fill that hole. Roy Miller stepped in for Price and did an adequate job, but he’s a free agent and likely to be allowed to sign elsewhere.

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Ryan McCrystal in Buccaneers, Team Needs Leave a comment

1 2 3 Next »