wkloiber13 wrote:
I've got to say I'm a little dissapointed in Kiper. He has wide receiver rated ahead of free safety on our list of needs. Either he has gotten some insider information that our staff is very happy with Chris Clemons or he just got a prescription of some serious smoke from Ricky? Yes we do need a nose tackle, but our team has traditionally taken that position late in the draft. I see Jeff Owens from Georgia as a much more realistic player for us to draft to address the middle. Here is my list of needs I think our team needs to address. Keep in mind I'm basing this off the fact that we released Joey Porter and have yet to resign Jason Taylor.
#1 - Pass Rush Outside Linebacker
We are currently without both of our top two sack men from last season. I understand that Cameron Wake and Charlie Anderson will likely see increased roles this year, and that will help out our pass rush this year, but you can't deny that we've got some major room for improvement in that area.
#2 - Ball Hawk Free Safety
Gibril Wilson was a strong safety impersonating a free safety in my opinion. He was unable to adequately back up our two budding cornerbacks. I know our staff is happy with Clemons progress, but I just can't shake the feeling that we'll never really stop getting burned by the Patriots and Jets until we address the secondary once and for all.
#3 - Nose Tackle
With Ferguson out until the middle of the season, we've got a huge hole here, but I think it's one that can be fixed with a later pick than #12. Parcells has always had the ability to find quality nose tackles later in the draft. I think nose tackle has to be a lesser need only for the fact that it's usually more difficult to find a quality pass rusher or free safety later in the draft. Yes there are exceptions, but in my opinion it's just easier to find quality nose tackles later in the draft. If we do decide to take a nose tackle in the first I hope we can find a trade partner and trade back with the intention of recouping the pick we lost for Marshall.
#4 - Tight End
Unless Fasano is able to return to form and give our offense a boost then we really need to explore our options when it comes to picking up a pass catching tight end. I was hoping we were going to shop at the Denver bargain store once more and pick up Scheffler but that didn't happen. So maybe we use a mid-round pick and try out someone like Graham from the U?
#5 - Wide Receiver
With us picking up Marshall, I think we did ourselves a huge favor. Yes we did let Ginn go, but that only means we swapped Ginn for Marshall in my mind. We've got guys like Hartline, Camarillo, and Turner who are fighting for playing time right now. I say you bring in a couple more guys for camp and maybe draft someone and "let the chips fall where they may" so to speak. In my mind I think we're ready to have a much better season through the air than we did last year.
Let me conclude by saying that I'm sorry for ranting. But isn't this why they created the internet? Anyway, these are just my thoughts, I'm sure the Trifecta will go in a completely different direction. Not to mention the season will probably play out much different than anyone could have predicted. Either way, I'm excited for the draft and I'm pumped for this upcoming season.
Don't be sorry for ranting. That was a great post and I completely agree with every single thing you said.
I also think that OLB and FS will be our first 2 selections, whether we trade down or not, and that Miami adresses NT a little later on as they usually do. Jeff Owens is a guy that has been rumored in connection to Miami a lot.
I love Dennis Pitta out of BYU, but unless we trade down out of 12 and re-acquire a 2nd round pick back, I can't see us using a pick on a TE untill we have adressed at least 2 defensive needs.
I think getting a guy like an Andre Roberts in the 4th round could be a great pick up. Miami saw him in person at the Senior Bowl, and he was by far the best WR there. Great route running, catches everything, good after the catch; really a better version of Devone Bess, IMO. He also has very good punt return ability. I think he could come in and compete for a 2 or 3 job right away, and force Miami to cut ties with Turner.
As far as TE, keep in mind that Miami spent a 5th round pick on a developemental prospect in Nalbone last year. They also have spent tons of time developing Haynos and Sperry. I think if they are going to draft a TE it is going to be someone who can come in and use his athleticism to contribute right away; not just another guy to stick on the practice squad.
Also, watch out for SC's boy Scott Sicko. Smaller school guy with a lot of upside. BP and Ireland love that.