NEW YORK JETS

Team Needs: Wide Receiver, Defensive End, Safety, Offensive Line  for more deets click here http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/new-york-jets-nfl-draft-team-needs/

Free Agent Signings: CB Antonio Cromartie (acquired via trade from Chargers), TE Ben Hartsock (resigned)

Free Agent Losses: S Kerry Rhodes (traded to AZ), RB Thomas Jones, LB Marques Murell, WR Wallace Wright

Potential Draft Targets:
Round 1: DE Jared Odrick, DE Everson Griffen, WR DeMaryius Thomas, WR Arrelious Benn, WR Golden Tate, S Taylor Mays
Round 2: WR Damian Williams, WR Brandon LaFell, WR Dezmon Briscoe, WR Mardy Gilyard, DE Tyson Alualu, DE Corey Wootton, DE Alex Carrington, S Larry Asante, S Reshad Jones
Round 3: Pick traded to Browns

Plan of Attack: The trade for Antonio Cromartie gives the Jets more flexibility in the first round. Many draft experts have the Jets locked into a receiver here, but is a guy like Arrelious Benn that much better than what receiver may be available to them in the second round?  Plus it’s not like they are empty when it comes to pass catchers.  They have Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, and Jerricho Cotchery already on the squad.  So don’t be shocked if the Jets brass targets a defensive player for their front seven with their first pick.  Jared Odrick would be a great choice as he could play end in their 3-4 and even move to the  middle on certain downs.  Everson Griffen could also be a fit as a nice young defensive end prospect.

In round 2 the Jets can look for another pass catcher for Sanchez.  A guy like Dezmon Briscoe could be available.  He has good size and speed and would be an ideal no. 2 option for the Jets.  Another option would be Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard.  He is only 5′11 and 180 pounds soaking wet, but plays much faster than his forty time showed and runs exceptional routes.  He could be a nice option in the slot, and he tends to play his best in big spots.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Team Needs: Defensive Tackle, Cornerback, Guard, Safety, Quarterback, Inside Linebacker. For a deeper look click here   http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/minnesota-vikings-nfl-draft-team-needs/

Free Agent Losses:  RB Chester Taylor, G Artis Hicks

Free Agent Signings:  K Rhys Lloyd, CB Benny Sapp (resigned)

Potential Draft Targets:  Round 1:  DT Jared Odrick, DT Brian Price, CB Kyle Wilson, CB Devin McCourty, OG/C, Maurkice Pouncey
Round 2: G John Asamoah, G Vladimir Ducasse, CB Chris Cook, CB Donovan Warren, DT Lamarr Houston, DT Cam Thomas
Round 3: CB Javier Arenas, CB Jerome Murphy, CB Brandon Ghee, G John Jerry, S  TJ Ward, S Kam Chancellor, QB Tim Tebow, QB Tony Pike, QB Dan LeFevour

Plan of Attack: The Vikings defense is predicated upon shutting down the running game.  They are entering what could be Pat Williams final season, so they’ll be looking for his replacement early.  There is a good chance that Brian Price or Jared Odrick will be availble when they are on the clock and that is the direction they are likely to go.  If not, look for the Vikings to take a corner first, with a guy like Devin McCourty making a ton of sense.

In round 2 the Vikings may look to bolster their offensive line.  They also need a corner but should still find a good value there in round 3.  Illinois’ John Asamoah would be a nice fit. He is a big boy (6′4, 300 lbs) and is as nasty as they come. He could step in and push Anthony Herrera for his starting job, and hopefully make it easier from Adrian Peterson to find some running room.

If the Vikings take a DT first and a G second, then expect them to address their secondary in the third round.   The resigning of Benny Sapp helps make corner less of a priority for the Purple, but there could be solid value there with guys like Brandon Ghee, Jerome Murphy, and Javier Arenas potentially being available.  The Vikings safeties were a serious liability last year both in tackling and in coverage, so they may look at adding one here as well.  The last area they may address in the 3rd round would be QB.  If Brad Childress thinks he can develop Tim Tebow and he’s available they may pull the trigger.  The same goes for LeFevour and Pike here as well.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Team Needs: Defensive Tackle, Offensive Line, Defensive End, Cornerback, Backup Quarterback.   For a more in depth looksy click here  http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/indianapolis-colts-nfl-draft-team-needs/

Free Agent Losses: QB Jim Sorgi, CB Marlin Jackson, G Ryan Lilja (cut)

Free Agent Signings: OG Andy Alleman, LB Gary Brackett (resigned)

Potential Draft Targets:  Round 1: DT Brian Price, DT Jared Odrick, DT Terrencey Cody, OG/C Maurkice Pouncey, OT Charles Brown, DE Everson Griffen. 
Round 2: DT LaMarr Houston, DT Cam Thomas, DT Arthur Jones, OG John Asamoah, OG Vladimir Ducasse, OT Selvish Capers, DE Alex Carrington, DE Corey Wootton
Round 3: DT D’Anthony Smith, DE Brandon Lang, DE Greg Hardy, OG John Jerry, QB Dan LeFevour, QB Tim Tebow, CB Javier Arenas, CB Brandon Ghee

Plan of Attack:  The Colts have big needs at defensive tackle and have been poor against the run for many seasons now.  The problem is that the top 5 DTs:  Suh, McCoy, Williams, Price, and Odrick will likely be off the board by the 31st pick.  With the front office pinning their Super Bowl loss on the offensive line, it’s a safe bet to think that is the area they will address with their first pick.  The top options who could still be on the board would be  G/C Maurkice Pouncey from Florida or OT Charles Brown from USC. 

If they do indeed address the offensive line with their first pick they should look at a defensive tackle in round 2.  Lamarr Houston from Texas is a hard working  player who gives his all on every play and would be a nice fit.  Cam Thomas is another defensive tackle they could look as he excels at using his large body to stuff the run.

In round 3 they could look at adding a backup QB since longtime clipboard holder Jim Sorgi has moved on to the Giants, and current backup Curtis Painter is downright terrible.  Dan LeFevour from Central Michigan would be an ideal pick if he’s still around or they could look at Tebow or maybe even Tony Pike at that point.

Starting with the Saints all the way down to the Rams with the first pick, Draftseason will be taking an in depth look at each team.  We’ll analyze their needs, track free agent gains and losses, and then figure out a plan of attack the team will take for the first three rounds of the draft.  Keep checking back as new teams will be added daily, and teams will be updated as new free agents are signed or lost.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

NFL Draft Team Needs: Outside Linebacker, Defensive Tackle, Defensive End, Safety.
For a more in depth look click here: http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/new-orleans-saints-nfl-draft-team-needs/

Free Agent Losses: OLB Scott Fujita

Free Agent Signings: C Nick Leckey (resigned), SS Pierson Prioleau (resigned), DB Leigh Torrence (resigned)

Potential NFL Draft Targets: Round 1: DTs: Brian Price, Jared Odrick, Terrence Cody.  OLBs: Sean Weatherspoon, Jerry Hughes
Round 2: DTs:  Lamarr Houston, Tyson Alualu, Arthur Jones, Cam Thomas.  RB: Dexter McCluster, OLBs: Thaddeus Gibson, Navorro Bowman, Daryl Washington.
Round 3: DEs: Greg Hardy, Lindsey Witten, Brandon Lang. S: Kam Chancellor, TJ Ward, Myron Rolle

Plan of Attack: The Super Bowl champions will have to sit and wait all evening to make their pick but chances are a nice player will fall to them at 32.  They would love to get their hands on one of the top defensive tackles but the only one they may get a crack at would be Terrence Cody and the jury is out on whether or not he’s first round material.  The best value at 32 would be at outside linebacker especially if the high energy Sean Weatherspoon is still on the board.  He gives them much needed youth at that position plus he is an upgrade over Scott Shanle and the recently departed Fujita.

 In round two the Saints can get that defensive tackle to pair with Ellis, and Arthur Jones could be just the man to fill that need if he checks out medically. 

In the third, they could go with a defensive end like Greg Hardy, or take a safety like hard hitting Kam Chancellor.  Saints fans should expect a heavy dose of defense early on Draft Day.

WINNERS

Chicago Bears – For Bears fans this free agency is their Draft and they have got to be excited with the results so far.  They got things  started off with Mike Martz’ boy Brandon Malumaluena, who is a fine blocking tight end but won’t catch many balls in the Bears new offense.  They then added RB Chester Taylor from division rival Minnesota.  Taylor is a very talented back who is a great receiver out of the backfield and is also very good in pass protection.  He will push Matt Forte as the starter and should see plenty of touches.  The Bears then made the big signing with Julius Peppers.  Peppers is one of the best pass rushers in the league and his presence on the edge will help give this Bears defense some of its swagger back.  These signings will help make them serious contenders for the division crown in 2010.

Detroit Lions – The Lions made the first big signing of the year when they inked Seattle WR Nate Burleson to a 5 year $25 million dollar deal.  They paid a lot for him, but Burleson brings veteran leadership to their offense, and is a very good receiver when healthly.  With him, Pettigrew, and Megatron in the fold, QB Matthew Stafford could make big strides in his sophomore campaign.  The Lions then addressed their defensive line, first by signing DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who gives them the upper echelon pass rusher they have lacked for years.  The Lions then traded for Browns DT Corey Williams.  If they use that 2nd overall pick on Suh or McCoy as expected, the Lions suddenly have the ingredients for a dominating defensive line.

Falcons/Dolphins/Giants/Jets/Ravens – The Falcons, Dolphins, Jets, Ravens, and Giants are listed here together because they all signed someone who fills a major need and gives them more flexibility in the Draft.  The Falcons landed Dunta Robinson who takes care of their need at corner, and they can now take the best pass rusher on the board with the 19th pick.  The Dolphins inked Karlos Dansby and can now focus on taking a WR like Dez Bryant at 12 or addressing another need like OLB, or NT.  The Giants signed safety Antrel Rolle to a long term deal, and with Kenny Phillips playing opposite him, they now have one of the best safety tandems in the league.  This allows them to look either at DT with the 15th pick, or they can either move up for or hope that Rolando McClain falls to them.  The Jets were looking at a corner with the 29th pick but now that they traded for Cromartie they can go after a WR, or look at adding a new young body to their defensive front seven.  Finally the Ravens traded for Anquan Boldin and now have that no. 1 receiver they’ve lacked for decades.  This will allow them to either target a corner with their first pick or possibly take the best tight end available in Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham.

LOSERS

Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals have took some major hits so far in this young offseason.  First they lose their starting QB Kurt Warner to retirement.  Then they lose two cornerstones of their defense in S Antrel Rolle, and LB Karlos Dansby.  They also traded stud WR Anquan Boldin to Baltimore for a mere third and fourth round pick.  They did sign Kerry Rhodes which will help offset the loss of Rolle, but this team looks it is going from the Penthouse of the NFC West to the very stinky bottom depths of the outhouse.

Karlos Dansby to the Dolphins – Giants fans will be happy that the Dolphins have filled a big need at inside linebacker with Dansby. This gives them a better shot at grabbin McClain at pick 15. Right now the only huge threat would be the Broncos, but depending on what happens with Brandon Marshall they could still be a lock to grab Dez Bryant.

Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Lions – Not that this really changed much, but the Lions will now more than ever be looking forward to grabbing whatever defensive tackle is on the board at #2. The Lions defensive line could quickly become respectable in 2010, something the Lions have lacked in years.

Antrel Rolle to the Giants – Fills a big need for the Giants, which will most likely steer them away from grabbing a guy like Earl Thomas in round 1. If McClain is off the board it will be almost a sure thing that the Giants go defensive tackle.

Dunta Robinson to the Falcons – Again, fills a good size hole for the Falcons, they could still use a mid to late round pick on a corner/safety. But look for the Falcons to go directly towards the defensive line and linebackers early.

Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland – Campbell impressed first at the weigh in as he measured in at 6′6 and 314 lbs.  He then shocked everyone in attendance when he ran a 4.85 forty yard dash.  Campbell performed well in the rest of the drills and helped his stock to the point where he is considered a sure first round pick.

Trent Williams OT, Oklahoma – Williams ran the second fastest forty time among offensive tackles with an impressive 4.88 seconds.  He posted the best vertical jump amongst the offensive lineman and showed good agility and athleticism.  Like Campbell, Williams has assured himself a spot in round 1.

Dorrin Dickerson TE, Pitt – Dickerson surprised many when he posted the best forty time among the tight ends.  He ran a blazing 4.40 forty.  He also had the best vertical and broad jumps in the entire tight end groups.  With fellow prospects Gronkowski and Hernandez unable to work out, Dickerson gained some ground with his impressive performance.

Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame – Tate headed into the workouts with a lot of eyes on him and he lived up to the pressure.  He ran a very solid 40 time of 4.42 seconds.  Tate ran very good routes and showed solid hands in drills and he did it all while wearing some fancy gold colored shoes.  He looks to have done enough to put him in the late first round with teams like Cincinnati, Baltimore, and New York Jets as possible landing spots.

Jacoby Ford WR, Clemson – Ford caught the eye of scouts with a pants dropplingly fast 40 time of 4.28 seconds.  He also ran very good routes, caught the ball well and stood out just about every chance he got.  With recent Combine burners like DeSean Jackson, Mike Wallace, and Johnny Knox finding early success in the NFL, teams will likely target Ford in the second or third round.

Ben Tate RB, Auburn/Toby Gerhart RB, Standford - Both bigger backs turned in some great 40 times (Tate 4.43/Gerhart 4.53), not bad for being a few of the bigger backs at the combine.  Both proved to be more of the overall athletic running backs in the 2010 class.

NFL Combine Losers

Dan LeFevour QB, Central Michigan – No prospect in the entire Combine took as much heat as LeFevour did for not throwing.  He chose not to, not because of injury, but because he wanted to throw to receivers he is comfortable with. NEWS FLASH Dan: When you get to the NFL you’ll be throwing to brand new targets, and scouts WANT to see you throw to unfamiliar receivers.  With this decision teams will question LeFevour’s competitive spirit and with good reason.

Tony Pike QB, Cincinnati – Just didn’t look all that great all day. Pike has the most to gain after the other top quarterbacks opted not to participate. Didn’t look absolutely horrible but didn’t stick out amongst the others as he should have. I like Pike and his potential so hopefully he comebacks at his pro-day to wow scouts.