2014 Team Needs

[The Gnat]

Post your team needs in this thread now, make early grand speculation about who busts, who breaks out, and who you'll need (or at least where you'll need them).
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Gnat's Movie Reviews

[SemperFeist]

VIKINGS:

MLB - the only middle linebackers we have on the roster are two 7th round picks in Audie Cole and Michael Mauti. Now if Mauti can stay healthy, he might be a huge surprise and this need will disappear, but it's unlikely to happen. Currently it seems that the Vikings have decided to roll with Erin Henderson at mike, but I only see that ending poorly.

QB - again this need will be determined by the progress of Christian Ponder. If Ponder can continue where he left off against Houston and Green Bay, he should be much more improved, and the team will succeed. But if Ponder continues with his struggles, after three years it will be time to start looking elsewhere for a quarterback.

DT - the Vikings did a great job landing Sharrif Floyd in the 2013 draft, but Kevin Williams is 33 and will be a FA after the season. It would be very helpful for the Vikings to find another penetrating DT to replace Williams and pair with Floyd.

OG - I like Fusco on the right side, I think he's shown he has the ability and should continue to get better with more experience. But Charlie Johnson can easily be upgraded, and should be replaced on the left side.

DE - Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen are all FA at the end of the season. Now I fully expect the team to retain Allen and Griffen, but Allen will be 31, and Robison's spot in the rotation will need to be filled.
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"Building a great team isn't about having the best players, it's about having the right players."

[Nobody]

2014 Colts-Obviously needs will change depending on how players perform this year.

------Needs---------

3-4 OLB- Skeptical about Werner standing up, but even if he succeeds we need another starter soon.

CB- Could use a talented press man-to-man CB to pair with Vontae.

WR- DHB is pretty much an unknown commodity at this point, but even if he is great we still need another future outside WR.

FS- I think we let Bethea walk in favor of a younger guy.

3-4 DE- A guy who can rush the passer, we already have our young run-stuffing DE. Think Will Sutton/JJ Watt types.

OG- Always a need. Thomas and Thornton are certainly the best guard tandem we've had in a while, but upgrades are always welcome.

Kicker- AV may not even make the team this year. A replacement is coming soon.

C- not a first round need, but the coaching staff won't give Shipley a chance despite his great play and I'm not a fan of Holmes.

RB- I love a Ballard/Williams backfield, but RB could definitely be a pick (probably not a first rounder though)

ILB- Conner and Angerer are free agents. Just a late rounder for depth, not an early round need at all.

OT- Not an early round need at this point, but late round developmental/depth guys are good.




------Not needs at all-------

QB- Luck, Hasselbeck, and Harnish have everything we need. Not even a late round pick.

TE- 4 good young guys here.

NT- We're loaded here. No depth or starter needed.

SS- We need a cover guy next to Landry, not another run supporter.

P- Unless McAfee moves to kicker.
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[Its A Sabotage]

Jaguars Team Needs:
QB
LEO/34OLB
DT
TE
OLB
RB
CB
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[ttitansfan4life]

Titans
DT
DE
OT
S
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Props to "Joe is the Best"

[IDOG_det]

For the Lions in 2014-

1: TE- Our 2 starters are FA's, so we might need to address this

2a: RT- Currently we have a open competition here. If no one shows that they are a good starter we could add another player here

2b: WR- We could use another WR to stretch the field if Corey Fuller can't.

4: OC- Raiola is getting older, and Bill Nagy isn't a sure thing. We should add someone to compete with Nagy

5a: OLB- Same as RT, it's a open competition and we could stand to improve here.

5b: DE- If Ansah, Devin Taylor, and Jason Jones can't get the job done, we could add more pass rushers. This need isn't likely though.

7: Overall depth- Depth is always needed
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Kate Upton for sexy President!!!
Travi$ Scott is better than you

^^^^Kempes on the sig^^^^

"The original Ezekiel Ansah fan"

[catcheryea]

Rams

S (Whichever one TJ McDonald doesn't play this year)
DT (An improvement over Kendall Langford would make our line scary good)
RT (Saffold is probably gone after this year)
G
RB (Maybe)

[Jason_Bengal_Fl]

Bengals potential needs:
SLB - Harrison is here for 2 years. His fit in a 4-3 D has yet to be proven, and even if he does fit he will need replacing soon.

CB - All of the proven CBs will be 29 or older. The young CBs have not shown anything because they have not been able to stay healthy.

WR2 - Jones and Sanu have shown flashes but neither has proven they can be a reliable #2 consistently yet. I think there is a good chance they will, but they need to show it. If they do, WR is not a need.

#1RB. BJGE is acceptable, but I think he can be upgraded next year if there are no more pressing needs.
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2013 Draft Needs: RB, Safety. Maybe RT and backup LBs

[boondock]

Panthers Needs

OT - Jordan Gross is not getting any younger, it's time to find his replacement before Cam gets seriously hurt. Looking at a LT that can do a lot of things, pass block, be a mauler, and can get out in space to block.

WR - Steve Smith is not getting any younger, it's time to find his replacement. We could also use some strong WR depth; since we currently do not have much behind Smith.

CB - After cutting Chris Gamble, the Panthers do not have a true number 1 on the team. Need to find a number 1 lock down guy that we can build the secondary around.

S - Since the departure of Chris Harris we have not had a good tag team partner for Charles Godfrey. Godfrey can play either S position, so we are flexible as to which S position we address.
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[Packerraymond]

The Packers needs will be determined by who we bring back from FA this upcoming offseason:

TE: Jermichael Finley is a FA, we won the Super Bowl with little to no TE production, but I would still think TT will want a contributing player there, but if none are available early, he won't reach for one.

WR: Thought we would take some receivers early this year, but the board allowed us to patch up RB and OL depth at the expense of WR, so this years draft could be where we go that route. Guys 6'2 or under who run good routes and are not body catchers are what GB usually looks for.

S: Will all depend on Jerron McMillian this year, if he's a stud, this isn't a need.

DL: Got Worthy and Daniels last year, Jones and Boyd this year, but Raji, Pickett and Wilson will all be FA's soon, might look to pick up another guy here if someone else falls.
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[green24]

Jets:

TE: Jeff Cumberland is our starter. We need an upgrade badly.

WR: Santonio Holmes is almost certainly going to be cut after the season. We already have Jeremy Kerley in place and hopefully Stephen Hill will show improvement this season.

OLB: We have just moved Quinton Coples to OLB, but there are still concerns at the other OLB position. Antwan Barnes is signed through the 2015 season, but he would be a better fit as a situational pass rusher.

S: This might be a need, or it might not be a need. We have Dawan Landry signed through the 2014 season. The stability of this position is dependent on the play of our two late round 2012 draft picks, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen.
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JMG and sandwhich on the sigs.

[vikingsrule]

Top Vikings Needs for 2014:

1) QB - No need is more urgent to fill then QB. Currently, the Vikings have Christian Ponder. This year is a make or break season for him. Positive development means he keeps his job. A regression means Ponder is probably out. The 2013 season will determine if this is a need or not.

2) MLB - Whether Erin Henderson, Brian Urlacher or Gerald Hodges is starting at MLB for MN, this position needs a long-term, three down starter. Ideally, MN would grab a MLB next year to start and let Hodges and Henderson compete at WLB.

3) DE - Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Everson Griffen are all free agents in 2014. I expect MN to be able to at least keep 2 of 3 as starters. Since the Vikes like to rotate its DEs a lot, finding a backup DE who can play a lot will be a draft day priority. If MN is able to keep all three free agents, DE moves to the middle rounds in terms of importance.

4) DT - Shariff Floyd should replace Kevin Williams at the 3 technique spot in 2014. Williams will probably be off the roster. The Vikes didnt really address the need at one technique DT, and probably should going forward.

5) OG - Brandon Fusco is in a make or break season at RG, a good season from him should solidify his spot. If he struggles, MN may need to replace Fusco. Charlie Johnson (LG) will also need to be replaced in 2014, as he is a free agent and an underwhelming starter, but ideal backup T/G.

6) WR - Greg Jennings is getting older and may be better suited to move into the slot in 2014. Patterson should be part of the future and he does have #1 potential, but MN should continue to add youth to this position. Jarius Wright looks like another slot option. Unless Jerome Simpson has a big season, which probably isnt likely, MN will consider WR options.

7) CB - Chris Cook, Xavier Rhodes and Josh Robinson look like a nice young trio full of potential. Cook has struggled to stay on the field and is a free agent in 2014. If MN can hang onto Cook, CB really isnt much of a need other then depth purposes. If Cook leaves, MN will need to find another CB and this need becomes more pressing. Assuming Cook is resigned, MN should be looking pretty good.

Safety - Big season ahead for Jamarca Sanford. Sanford has been a very physical run defender, but is underwhelming in coverage. Sanford does a good job at keeping things in front of him and does a good job being in position, but his ball skills are severely lagging. MN could be in the market for a Cover 2 FS.

9) TE - If Carlson has another disappointing season, he will be out of a job. Since the Vikes run a lot of multi TE sets, having three viable TEs is ideal. Rudolph and Ellison are a nice 1-2 punch, regardless of Carlson.

10) RB - Toby Gerhart is a free agent, MN could use quality RB depth.
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[The LBC]

Well, as of right now here's how I see it for the Chargers:

LT - Unless Joe D'Alessandris manages to get King Dunlap to perform like no one's ever seen King Dunlap perform before (or long shot Nick Becton delivers big time), this team has no long-term plan at LOT and, per our GM, is more apt to build through the draft than free agency.

QB* - The asterisk is because this will be largely contingent upon performance of Rivers this season. If he doesn't finish 2013 on the upswing and the team is picking in the Top 10, I'm not convinced they'll automatically pass up on a QB if they take a shine to one. 2013 is the last year that Rivers has guarantees on the monies in his contract, and his base salary jumps to $20m next season, so he's very likely either getting extended to facilitate a more team-friendly cap number or released in 2014.

NT - Cam Thomas is in a contract year and a make-or-break season. if he doesn't deliver the only guys behind him on the depth chart are rookie UDFA's Kwame Geathers and Byron Jerideau. If the defense regresses, it's possible the team parts ways with John Pagano as DC, but doubtful which means the 3-4 likely remains.

3-4 OLB - How Melvin Ingram will fare as a starter is yet to be seen, but even if he does succeed, Jarrett Johnson is largely a part-time player and his cap number jumps notable in 2014. 2013 will likely show whether Ingram can cut the mustard as a weak-side rusher and if not his future is likely on the strong-side and a WOLB will be sought in the draft. It's becoming necessary these days for most 3-4 teams to be 3-deep in terms of starting-capable OLB's anyway.

RB - Everything about how this front office handled the running back situation this offseason signals that they're going to give Mathews one final (first under this administration) chance to prove he can stay healthy and be a consistent contributor, but otherwise he's likely headed for the unemployment line. Doubt this will be viewed as a 1st round need, particularly given Whisenhunt and McCoy's recent tendencies towards RBBC. But a 2nd or 3rd round bell cow back probably would get some serious consideration.

SS* - The asterisk again is largely dependent on 2012 draft pick Brandon Taylor who is no sure-fire bet to open the season healthy after tearing his ACL in Week 17 last season. If Taylor shows he can hold down the fort, or Marcus Gilchrist (who appears to be en route to being moved to safety - which he played at Clemson) shines in the role, this isn't much more than a depth need. If not, I'd almost consider this more of a need than CB given the way in which our scheme sets up (i.e. use of zone-coverage and the need for a capable one-high safety).

CB - Currently a lot of question marks. The law of averages says that most likely one pans out and the rest probably become mostly depth. While it would be ideal that Shareece Wright and Derek Cox prove themselves to both be capable starters, the odds are better that Cox proves that and Wright has about a 50/50 shot. Will be interesting to see. Typically zone-heavy teams don't put as much emphasis/importance on drafting CB's early as man and press-man coverage teams do, but there's a glut of CB talent that looks primed to hit the draft next season.
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[BeeperKing]

For Atlanta:

DE: Even after adding Goodman and Mopanga in the draft, we still need a serious impact, 3 down DE. I don't have much faith in Osi, and the rookies can't do it alone.

DT: Babs isn't getting any younger, Jerry is a FA bust, and Peters still has a bunch to prove. This could potentially be a huge need next year.

LB: Once again, Dent still has a ton to prove, and Nichols hasn't been impressive at all. Everyone saw in the playoffs how TEs got to this team. We need a Bobby Wagner/Lavonte David type player across from Spoon.

RT: We cut Clabo, leaving 3rd round pick Lamar Holmes to hold down the right side. If he fails, we'll be looking for a replacement.

TE: I highly doubt we draft a TE again, but no one was a huge fan of the Tolilo pick. Plus, we need a #2 for when Gonzo finally retires.

WR: This team has pretty much no receiver depth. Someone should be brought in to challenge Harry Douglas for the #3 spot, as well.
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Kempes on the sig

[drd23]

Ravens potential needs in 2014:

1) LT - this will be a need no matter what happens. McKinnie is a short term stop gap and Michael Oher is a FA

2) WR - an outside WR with size to play across from Torrey Smith will almost certainly be a need. The current starter is probably Tandon Doss, a 2011 4th round pick who has done nothing as yet and #3 WR Jacoby Jones is a FA.

3) CB - Won't be a need if Jimmy Smith steps up and plays to his potential, but if not a #2 CB capable in off-man coverage would be good.

4) TE - Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson are both FAs. I expect that Pitta will be re-signed, but we'd need a more rounded TE to be the #2 TE on the depth chart if Dickson leaves.

5) FS - A true center fielder to challenge Michael Huff to line up along side Matt Elam

6) ILB - A thumper type ILB more than a coverage LB

Not a need at all:
QB, RB, OG, DE, OLB, SS
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db424 on the sig!