04-04-2020, 04:21 PM
We need 3 starters and a few guys high in the rotation still, but the draft is not the only answer. They should be ready to trade or have a deal in place with a FA as opposed to "Sample" the overdrafting menu..
1. QB-Need and solution =Burrow is a lock
2. LB-Need: ILB with coverage skills
Solution: When the pick comes up (2nd, 3rd or 4th) if this player is near BPA then take him. One underrated solution we have to consider is if this is not the scenario then they trade a 4th or 5th for a descent vet LB. If another team takes a LB that is too high of value to pass on, that team may trade a league average guy or even just to clean up cap room. In a 3-4 variation, they'll need a capable 3 man rotation inside. Pratt improved, Bynes is a solid band-aid and Evans was inconsistent. Since any of these guys can be leaped by a high pick, you'd love to plug and play a true 3 down type that can cover and not get pushes around. There is a chance that they play more 3 safety looks, but they'll need better LB play no matter what they run.
3. T/G-Need: A starter
Solution: I love the change in FO philosophy but another change that needs to happen is not settling for banking on young players being dependable starters before they earn it. They have AT LEAST one need of a starting OL. Many of us have speculated that they're content with Hart at RT, but you can't bank on him and one of the pups at LG to start. One or the other but not both. To solve this need, you either:
-take the BPA in the 2nd or 3rd to start, either at guard or tackle
-sign a vet like Peters, Beachum or Person
-trade for a vet like Trent Williams or another capable starter
Doing this drops the need, so you can pick one by the late-mid rounds instead of by the 3rd. This is the best proactive move, to guard against passing on a blue chip corner, TE, DE, etc.. because you're affraid of there being a run on tackles so you take a mid-late 3rd grade tackle or guard because you didn't plan well. Bottom line is we are counting on too much to act like we don't have to be agressive to fix the OL.
4. OLB: Rush type? Only they truly know
Solution: It's polarizing how the defensive depth chart will really look in this 3-4 variation, this is a wildcard need that may even affect need #2. Some of you may, but I don't think they'll use Carlos in the Elephant/rush LB/whatever role, but true DE instead. That means you likely have Hubbard in this role, and the other spot is up for grabs. Maybe they platoon Lawson to keep him fresh behind both OLB's, maybe they run safety heavy with Williams and Bell BOTH at SS with Bates in CF. For this reason, a guy like Baun that can hold his own in short coverage, play the run and rush fits very well. I don't like targeting picks though, so at the least they need to have another player they can play on the outside with better coverage skills than Hubbard and Lawson.
5. WR
Solution: Though a receiving TE may be the bigger need fit, there is too much talent in the draft at WR and AJ is on an expiring deal. They're going to have to take advantage of this and get Burrow a future starting WR with one of those mid round picks. Boyd, Ross and Erickson are slot types with the first two able to play outside. They can afford to not be picky with type here, but an outside WR with average speed is a guy you need to round out the depth chart.
You can argue for these positions, but if they have to scrape the FA market or let guys battle I think they're ok.
TE: I think they'll play one TE at a time with as much WR talent as they'll have. Uzomah is a fringe starter, Sample the blocker and button hook type, but they could use a receiving type to push for the 3rd TE spot.
DE: Philosophy here again. If Geno and Dunlap are 3-4 DE's, then Glasgow, Wren and Brown only need a mid-late pick or cheap vet. If They're just moving the other DE spot around (Hubbard/Lawson) then I still don't see as big of a need above the top 5 needs listed.
S: This is the one I had issues over. I think they see Bates with Wilson behind him as a true CF, again SS may be a different position than what some of us are planning for. If they're running a safety heavy defense, don't be surprised if they don't draft a mid round CF type to push Bates or a 3rd player that can play SS if they see it as an actual strategy.
Another OL: I'm hoping for an actual starter with one spot, so I'll settle for another backup to groom anywhere on the line really.
1. QB-Need and solution =Burrow is a lock
2. LB-Need: ILB with coverage skills
Solution: When the pick comes up (2nd, 3rd or 4th) if this player is near BPA then take him. One underrated solution we have to consider is if this is not the scenario then they trade a 4th or 5th for a descent vet LB. If another team takes a LB that is too high of value to pass on, that team may trade a league average guy or even just to clean up cap room. In a 3-4 variation, they'll need a capable 3 man rotation inside. Pratt improved, Bynes is a solid band-aid and Evans was inconsistent. Since any of these guys can be leaped by a high pick, you'd love to plug and play a true 3 down type that can cover and not get pushes around. There is a chance that they play more 3 safety looks, but they'll need better LB play no matter what they run.
3. T/G-Need: A starter
Solution: I love the change in FO philosophy but another change that needs to happen is not settling for banking on young players being dependable starters before they earn it. They have AT LEAST one need of a starting OL. Many of us have speculated that they're content with Hart at RT, but you can't bank on him and one of the pups at LG to start. One or the other but not both. To solve this need, you either:
-take the BPA in the 2nd or 3rd to start, either at guard or tackle
-sign a vet like Peters, Beachum or Person
-trade for a vet like Trent Williams or another capable starter
Doing this drops the need, so you can pick one by the late-mid rounds instead of by the 3rd. This is the best proactive move, to guard against passing on a blue chip corner, TE, DE, etc.. because you're affraid of there being a run on tackles so you take a mid-late 3rd grade tackle or guard because you didn't plan well. Bottom line is we are counting on too much to act like we don't have to be agressive to fix the OL.
4. OLB: Rush type? Only they truly know
Solution: It's polarizing how the defensive depth chart will really look in this 3-4 variation, this is a wildcard need that may even affect need #2. Some of you may, but I don't think they'll use Carlos in the Elephant/rush LB/whatever role, but true DE instead. That means you likely have Hubbard in this role, and the other spot is up for grabs. Maybe they platoon Lawson to keep him fresh behind both OLB's, maybe they run safety heavy with Williams and Bell BOTH at SS with Bates in CF. For this reason, a guy like Baun that can hold his own in short coverage, play the run and rush fits very well. I don't like targeting picks though, so at the least they need to have another player they can play on the outside with better coverage skills than Hubbard and Lawson.
5. WR
Solution: Though a receiving TE may be the bigger need fit, there is too much talent in the draft at WR and AJ is on an expiring deal. They're going to have to take advantage of this and get Burrow a future starting WR with one of those mid round picks. Boyd, Ross and Erickson are slot types with the first two able to play outside. They can afford to not be picky with type here, but an outside WR with average speed is a guy you need to round out the depth chart.
You can argue for these positions, but if they have to scrape the FA market or let guys battle I think they're ok.
TE: I think they'll play one TE at a time with as much WR talent as they'll have. Uzomah is a fringe starter, Sample the blocker and button hook type, but they could use a receiving type to push for the 3rd TE spot.
DE: Philosophy here again. If Geno and Dunlap are 3-4 DE's, then Glasgow, Wren and Brown only need a mid-late pick or cheap vet. If They're just moving the other DE spot around (Hubbard/Lawson) then I still don't see as big of a need above the top 5 needs listed.
S: This is the one I had issues over. I think they see Bates with Wilson behind him as a true CF, again SS may be a different position than what some of us are planning for. If they're running a safety heavy defense, don't be surprised if they don't draft a mid round CF type to push Bates or a 3rd player that can play SS if they see it as an actual strategy.
Another OL: I'm hoping for an actual starter with one spot, so I'll settle for another backup to groom anywhere on the line really.
