Gridiron Experts

Team Needs Mock Draft (Part 3)

Gridiron Experts spaced out this 3 part article nicely as the final 12 teams were busy in free agency, thereby affecting their team needs and priorities

Not every position that is lacking on a NFL squad has to be filled with a first round pick. There are still a ton of free agents that are about to hit the open market, and second year players that can step in now that they have a year under them, and the first few weeks of March should completely change the draft. So here is a look at the NFL Draft based on how teams are sitting at the moment.

Team Needs Mock Draft (Part 1)

Team Needs Mock Draft (Part 2)

21) Cincinnati Bengals Team Needs:  WR | LB | TE | OL

Cincinnati was a surprise defensive powerhouse last season, so was their smash mouth running attack. But if the Bengals want to get all phases of their game going, attention needs to be made to the passing game.

The Bengals top need was a wide receiver and even with the acquisition of WR Antoino Byrant, we feel the Bengals should still look to add youth in the draft at the WR spot, but not with their first pick. This draft has an abundant amount of Tight End’s with excellent talent and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bengals grab one. Tony Moeaki, Rob Gronkowski or Jermaine Gresham are all players that could fit well into Cincinnati’s scheme and help out the passing game.

22) New England Patriots Team Needs: LB | CB | TE | WR

The Patriots have more holes on the roster than fans may want to admit. This is not the same team than ran up the scoreboard with ease from a couple years back. The defense will most likely be the focus, and for good reason. The Patriots were average across the board last year in defensive rankings, which isn’t anything to worry about, but the divisional upgrade that New England now has to face is a concern.

The Dolphins and Jets are rebuilding fast and if New England wants to own the division again, they’ll need that shut-down Belichick defense to be back on track. We see New England going for the best CB or LB available. This is a smart drafting team that is always calm and cool on the clock, their streak of excellent drafting needs to continue.

Good fits: Sean Weatherspoon and Myron Lewis

23) Green Bay Packers Team Needs: OL | CB | RB | LB

No one would be surprised to see the Packers use their first two picks on the offensive line. Aaron Rodgers had an excellent season, but was running for his life when Chad Clifton went down mid-season. With all the 5-wide empty formations this team loves to use, loading up on pass protection may make for a boring draft day, but will result in a long career for their quarterback. Packers draft best OL available.

24) Philadelphia Eagles Team Needs: DE | LB | CB | OL

The Eagles have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense needs an upgrade. Expect many picks devoted in this year’s draft to the blitz happy defense, mainly upgrading the meat and potatoes upfront.

Andy Reid has never drafted a LB in the first round and this year will be no different. Despite the glaring need at LB, the Birds will most likely add a pass-rushing defensive end. Trying to find the right guy opposite DE-Trent Cole has been an ongoing headache. Philly is notorious for moving up and down the draft board so don’t be surprised to see the Eagles set their sights on someone and sell the farm to get him.

Good fits: DE-Jason Pierre-Paul, Jerry Hughes

25) Baltimore Ravens Team Needs: CB | TE | DT | LB

After trading for WR A.Boldin, we can now check off the receiver needs that were such a top priority for this team. The first round can now be focused on more important areas of concern, still a young understudy wide-out would be a good idea with one of their later picks.

The Ravens are a power running team but do like to set up the play action pass. We feel another strong blocking tight end with good hands could become a regular on field weapon for the Ravens in a lot of their 2 TE/ 2WR sets. We like Jermaine Gresham or Rob Gronkowski at pick 25.

26) Arizona Cardinals Team Needs: LB | OT | WR | SS

The Cardinals are an entirely new looking team with big holes to fill. Free agency hasn’t been too kind to Arizona but with an abundant amount of picks in this year’s draft, the Card’s could regain their playoff composure.

With pick 26th in this year’s NFL draft the Cardinals will have to wait and see to what falls into their laps. Trying to replace either LB- K.Dansby or SS-A.Rolle will most likely be a top priority. The verdict is still out on last year’s 3rd round pick SS- R.Johnson so don’t be shocked if safety is still a top need. With the extra picks from the Boldin trade the Cardinals can move up the board in this year’s draft if they want, but odds are good 2010 will be about adding depth.

27). Dallas Cowboys Team Needs: SS | OL | WR

The Cowboys are stacked with a team ready to make a big playoff push. This first round pick is pure luxury as Dallas looks strong heading into the upcoming season. Adding depth to the offensive line would be a smart pick up, but seeing how last year the Cowboys had no high draft picks after trading for WR- R.Williams, Jerry Jones will be itching to add a play maker just for the media-buzz factor.

Expect the top game breaker to be snatched up here, KR, WR, etc

28) San Diego Chargers Team Needs: RB | CB | NT | DE

The Chargers have lost what was once their top defensive corner and top running back. Change isn’t always for the better and we hardly see how letting go of these players is going to help with the on-going problem in the post season.

The answer at running back will probably be selected here with the 28th overall pick. But with this draft class missing a large number of elite RB’s you could see the Chargers look to fill Cromartie’s spot instead.

There is also a concern at nose tackle and picking this late in the first round will be more about valuing what’s a bigger hole on the roster rather trying to fill all three spots by guessing what will be around in the following rounds.

Good Fits: RB- B.Matthews, CB- Kyle Wilson, Joe Haden,

29) New York Jets Team Needs: WR | LB | RB | DE

The Jets had an excellent season in 09 and will want to extend their success by adding a starter here at pick 29. The passing game‘s average receiving targets might make an easy first round pick prediction for Sanchez to stretch the field with. We like a number of players, the only question is, who will  be available this late into the first round.

Demaryius Thomas is recovering from a broken foot, and might slip in the first round. The Jets could really use Thomas’s size and speed. Other good fits: Brandon LaFell or Golden Tate.

30) Minnesota Vikings Team Needs: QB | RB | SS | CB

The Vikings were a bad throw away from going to the Super Bowl, and it’s safe to say that if Brett Favre comes back this team will not lose a step.

The Vikings could add extra DB help but with no glaring holes on the roster this pick could be used on replacing RB C.Taylor.

Some are saying that the Vikings plan for the future with this pick, grabbing a QB to replace Favre, but if (when) Favre returns the Vikings will be more about loading up for a playoff run and less about dreaming for the future. We think a guy like Toby Gerhart might make an immediate impact for the Vikings. Gerhart is more of fullback than a RB, but he is smart and would be great in short yardage carries fitting well into the westcoast scheme. A tough all round H-Back could be a big help freeing up breathing room for Adrian Peterson.

31) Indianapolis Colts Team Needs: OT | CB | G | DT

The Colts season will be looked at as a disappointment for some, but realistically what Manning and company accomplished was very impressive. The hangover curse will not have a chance against a team that was getting by with a rookie coach and the loss of Anthony Gonzalez and Bob Sanders. Expect the Colts to add size and strength to either the offensive or defensive line. This team shouldn’t have trouble rebounding in 2010.

Other areas of need are at the cornerback position, but the best available player strategy would be best suited here at 31st overall.

32) New Orleans Saints Team Needs LB | SS | DT

Losing Scott Fujita and possibly Daren Sharper (currently still FA) will be key positions the Saints will look to address. Keep in mind though; the Saints are not a team afraid to gamble (onside kick in the Super Bowl) so if a fallen star slips down the draft board, New Orleans will not hesitate to snatch him up. The Saints are an offensive juggernaut and might continue to get stronger by adding a weapon for their beloved quarterback.

Check back soon for Gridiron Experts first guess at Aprils NFL Draft

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