8 picks
#5, 36, 50atl, 68, 102, 136, 142mia, 144car
Safety
On the strong side they certainly regret allowing fading veteran Mike Brown to occupy the spot of discarded Bernard Pollard who was terrific in Houston while Brown stunk. Brown is free to sign anywhere he likes, but teams are not usually too interested in someone who is 32, coming off a horrible season and with serious injuries on his medical history. Knowing Tennessee's Eric Berry will likely be there when they pick at #5 might be weighing on their mind considering this position has been left alone in free agency. Morgan, a third round pick from the previous regime, is still developing. On the free side Page missed half the season (calf) and was given a second round tender as a restricted free agent. McGraw is aging by the minute and it shows in his lack of speed. Unless they think rookie free agents Langford and Price from last year have a serious upside this is an area which needs a lot of attention.
Nose Tackle
This was a need last year when I thought they should have taken Boston College's B.J. Raji in the first round and it is still a need. To their credit at least they realize it by signing veteran Shaun Smith (Bengals) to help Ron Edwards man the position until a better option comes along. When Pioli took over at GM everyone with any sense knew the defensive line would be a priority, and for better or worse they have the pair of early first round picks from LSU (Dorsey, Jackson) plus Magee grooming at end. I'm not convinced those guys, two of which were picked by Pioli last year, are going to be anything close to the level of play he was accustomed to getting while running the Patriots. For now though, the emphasis shifts to finding a true nose.
Wide Receiver
Heading into the 2009 season it looked like Dwayne Bowe would be a legit #1 for the long haul. In his first two years he compiled 2,017 yards and caught 12 touchdown passes. Serving a four-game suspension and battling to stay out of the doghouse derailed the third year, which historically has been when receivers really blossom. Still, when he was utilized in his 8 most productive games he totaled 561 yards so the talent is there. Both sides just need to get it out on a consistent basis. Veteran Chris Chambers provided a spark to this group over the final 9 weeks after being claimed off waivers from division rival San Diego. He was rewarded with a 3-year deal, but at 32 by opening day will probably only be effective for the first two. His biggest impact could be keeping Bowe in line because there are not many (uh, any?) other options. Urban, who worked with Haley when he ran the Arizona offense, was signed in free agency to work the slot. He'll occupy the roster spot vacated by free agent Wade who dropped way too many passes. Darling was cut after failing his physical, but didn't play this season anyway. Copper is sticking around, likely to participate on special teams. Other than their first pick it would not surprise me to see the Chiefs make an addition here. They need a reliable #1 who toes the company line.
Rush Linebacker
Vrabel is sticking around for one more season. Unless he's on the Seau retirement plan this should be it for him. Hali will be a free agent next year and was the team's only reliable sack artist. Even at that, 3 of his 8 1/2 sacks came during a 44-13 loss to Denver. The team finished with 22, which would have been the lowest total in the NFL if not for the totally futile Jacksonville pass rush. Andy Studebaker, retained as an exclusive rights free agent, was a nice find. He demonstrated some intelligence and ability. They need a killer, as every 3-4 defense does. It's an issue they should address with one of their five picks in the top 102.
Offensive Line
I would not like to be Branden Albert these days. It's not very fun to have a lot of people telling you that you're not able to do your job and should start doing something else. At least left guard Brian Waters has his back. I sort of do as well. I'm not sure how much sense it makes to draft another potential (key word) left tackle, then shift around other parts to accommodate a totally unproven rookie. It makes more sense to lean on their incumbent guard (Waters) along with Lilja who was essentially swapped to the Colts for Alleman in separate free agency transactions. Ironically Lilja was once acquired off waivers from them by Indianapolis. In other interior line news, veteran Goff was cut and Wade Smith, who played guard and center, signed with Houston. Offsetting Smith's loss in the short term is Wiegmann looking to emulate Mawae's longevity at center or at least hang on for 2010. He's really just around until the team find's an upgrade for Niswanger who was tendered (second round compensation) as a restricted free agent. This could be done via the draft. Back to the tackle spot, if Albert does stay on the left side there are options on the right side where former Patriot starter O'Callaghan was signed off waivers during the season and was tendered as a restricted free agent. Another consideration is Barry Richardson who was considered a project when he came out of Clemson in 2008, but also a potential blind side protector. Summing it up, I'm of the belief they will seek out middle to late round gems rather than attacking this area early. They might not have enough picks to make two additions, but I wouldn't rule it out.
Inside Linebacker
Joining his third team in as many seasons Corey Mays was supposed to be a backup helping on special teams, which is how he spent the first three years of his career with the Patriots and Bengals. Instead he started, while former #15 overall pick Derrick Johnson sat behind him. I would say the season finale brought the depth chart into question a bit considering Johnson "debacled" (as WalterFootball would say) the Broncos by returning two interceptions for touchdowns. Then with both facing restricted free agency Johnson was given a first round tender (which he signed) while Mays earned the second round treatment. Remind me again why Mays started? The other starter is Demorrio Williams, the team's leading tackler with 117. Unfortunately that means about as much as being the leader in jerseys sold at the concession stand. They need better results inside where a little more run support is needed, and perhaps someone to evaluate the talent as well. Worth noting two inside 'backers, Dacus and Rogers, were released which means someone is coming in.
Special Teams
Now that Charles is the featured back and with Wade likely out of the mix, they are going to need a primary kick and punt returner. Since they are likely to draft a wide receiver, one with return skills would be a good idea. Cornerback depth is also an issue and if a pick can be spared in that area someone who can pull double duty makes sense.
Quarterback
What? I thought they found their franchise player in Matt Cassel right? I'm going to claim foresight on this one. I did not mind trading a second round pick for him, but extending him before he had played a down at Arrowhead? The worst part of the exchange was word of this leaking during the draft, crippling their efforts to trade down which the Browns did two picks later, allowing the Jets to draft Sanchez. Even if those reports were deemed false the damage was down and he was in fact given a monster deal. Now on the surface it seems they are stuck with him. Croyle has proven too fragile to play for any extended period of time although he did sign his free agent tender to stick around. They do have Palko who is probably still bragging about driving Flacco out of town when both were at Pitt. He has yet to throw an NFL pass, which does not say much about the Panthers' quarterback evaluations. Gutierrez is on board for a one-year deal, giving them four players who can't get the job done. I'm not sure there is a great answer to this question, but I will point out a certain Notre Dame quarterback's former head coach is now the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs. I guess anything is possible.
Tight End
Sean Ryan began the season as the starter. He faded down the stretch and left in free agency for Washington. They are left with a pair of thus far disappointing former third round picks. Pope is entering his fifth season and not surprisingly was unable to pile up many receptions during three years in Arizona where he worked with Haley. This season he had 20. Cottam, who worked his way up draft boards with a great combine in 2008, has caught 16 balls in two seasons. I'm pretty sure no one has forgotten Tony G. Management does get to use the second round pick acquired for him last year. Considering the condition of their roster I doubt it will be addressed in this draft. It's just worth noting they have no talent here.
