Any Glaring Needs Heading Into The 2022 Draft?

[45catfan]

I know we just wrapped this one up, however, I knew at the completion of the 2020 draft what we needed to target this year and we did.  Those were QB, OT and CB on day 1 and day 2.  While we traded for Darnold and took our need for QB off the board, we still got the OT and CB early in the draft.  So in that regard, I was correct.  Not patting myself on the back here, merely saying it's possible to project needs for the following draft even this far out.

So, for the draft-niks out there, are there any holes on this roster now that we've completed this draft and FA that you feel must be addressed in next year's draft?  Give me your top three, ranked or un-ranked.

Mine are:

1) S-Do I need to explain this?  I think we do well enough this season to take a Safety in the back half of round 1 and get value.

2) LB-FAs on short-term deals and JAGS (I believe Chinn will be playing more of a role in the secondary)

3) DE- Not sold on YGM yet, Burns has issues staying healthy and no real depth to speak of--that 3rd rotational DE who could push to start.

I know 2020 was a heavy defensive draft using all seven picks and we still had holes even after doing so. That entire side of the ball was completely gutted, therefore, it had to be the primary focus of that draft.  We patched-worked some spots and continued to do so this year in FA and doubled down on CBs and DTs where I felt he had to in the draft.  I think next draft instead of plugging S, LB, and DE in FA, we draft to fill them.

Edited May 5, 2021 by 45catfan

[45catfan]

Center would be my 3b-right behind DE.   For the right value, I wouldn't mind center being the second pick off our board to be honest.  I don't see Paradis as the long-term solution there.

[Soul Rebel]

3 hours ago, 45catfan said:

Center would be my 3b-right behind DE.   For the right value, I wouldn't mind center being the second pick off our board to be honest.  I don't see Paradis as the long-term solution there.

Kyle Hamilton screams a Phil Snow player and could rival Chinn as that hybrid rover....his athleticism and build is off the charts. 

Linderbaum would be an ideal "less sexy" selection, but fills a glaring need once we let Paradis walk. Interested to see if Rhule tries UDFA Moore as a center backup this year and envision him as a potential center long-term.

Agreed though.... C, FS, LB are my three biggest needs heading into the draft. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Too early to say, but FS and C seem pretty safe bets. Then there's the will he or won't he question with Darnold much like Teddy last year.

[45catfan]

2 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Too early to say, but FS and C seem pretty safe bets. Then there's the will he or won't he question with Darnold much like Teddy last year.

Unless Darnold tanks he'll be our guy in 2023 as well.  To that point, I think a 1st round QB is about .1% likely to happen.  By passing on a QB this draft, we hitched our wagon to Sam Darnold for at least two seasons and confirmed that by picking up his 5th year option.  He would have to be well beyond Teddy bad for us to do the exact same thing and move on after just one season.

Paradis is an average center and I think we could upgrade by going younger and cheaper.  Burris is simply a placeholder until we can upgrade.

[MHS831]

This is likely to change, but we know this:

Paradis is in his final year.

Is Robby Anderson?  Will be hard to negotiate if we have Moore, Marshall, and maybe even Shi balling.

Will the LT spot be settled?  Will Christensen and his TRex arms be moved to LG?  Will that send Elf to C, where he has not played as well?

Pass rush will be a need every year.

QB--even if Darnold plays well, we need a quality backup at some point.

CB--I do not see us tagging or - re-signing Jackson.

 

So if the LT experiment fails and Christensen moves inside, LT again is our priority--not necessarily a bad thing--because C.Brown at RG, Moton at RT, and Christensen at LG is pretty impressive--especially if we have a C.

[45catfan]

5 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

This is likely to change, but we know this:

Paradis is in his final year.

Is Robby Anderson?  Will be hard to negotiate if we have Moore, Marshall, and maybe even Shi balling.

Will the LT spot be settled?  Will Christensen and his TRex arms be moved to LG?  Will that send Elf to C, where he has not played as well?

Pass rush will be a need every year.

QB--even if Darnold plays well, we need a quality backup at some point.

CB--I do not see us tagging or - re-signing Jackson.

 

So if the LT experiment fails and Christensen moves inside, LT again is our priority--not necessarily a bad thing--because C.Brown at RG, Moton at RT, and Christensen at LG is pretty impressive--especially if we have a C.

If Christensen fails at LT, I don't think it will be because of his arms.  The bigger issue and the unknown even as of now is what to make of Moton?  Does he play the year on the tag or does he get the long-term deal?  RTs are a dime a dozen and if he prices himself too richly, I think we let him walk after the season.  If that's the case, I could see us moving Christensen to RT (assuming he struggles at LT) and going back to the well at LT next draft.

[pantherj]

Safety

LB

DT (pass rushing)

LT (long term star)

Center

 

[45catfan]

12 minutes ago, pantherj said:

Safety

LB

DT (pass rushing)

LT (long term star)

Center

 

That's why we drafted Nixon.  Many had a second round value on him, but apparently had some character red flags and caused him to drop.  My favorite draft site had him second only to Barmore.

[pantherj]

28 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

That's why we drafted Nixon.  Many had a second round value on him, but apparently had some character red flags and caused him to drop.  My favorite draft site had him second only to Barmore.

He lacks power. He can't bull rush. He's the lord of quick horizontal movement, so he's good at stuffing the run. We need a better pass rushing DT.

[TheProcess]

My early favorites at potential positions of need. 

CB - Derek Stingley (LSU) - yes, I know we drafted Horn, but Stingley/Horn for the next 10+ years with Chinn has scary good potential. If given the opportunity, no way I pass on this guy!

DE - Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)

S - Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)

C - Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)

LT - Zion Nelson

QB - Spencer Rattler

WR - Chris Olave

 

 

[Basbear]

I swear, I am going to do another bet with posters that feel the safety are trash. I was right about last years OL being better than everyone thought. Just got to figure out how its judged. Not referring to anyone, just as a whole. 

 

My main need/want heading into 2022 is LT. Honestly thats about it, as far as the highest want/need. OL in general, but I think OGs could be found and they maybe already on the team(Brown&Moore). Elf I feel will be the 2022 C, how he does....well Im not going to say either way right now. Christensen is the wild card, could play a big role this year or next or be a RT or LG or RG or LT in either year. I know the players he put up high ranks against will NOT be playing NFL ball, they will be driving trucks or bouncing at bars come 2022. 

 

LBs, but again I do not know what Phil Snow will showcase.

 

DL&CB have had draft capital spent there, no worries, just need time to grow.

 

WR got young talent too, 4 is a big number too.

 

TE has a young guy and a specialist, but how much effect does this group need with WRs and CMC?  

 

QB will go right to the top if Darnold fails, I am taking a wait before I make claims. 

 

Its almost scaring when I think about my confront level about the current and future roster. Have I been finessed by the finesser??

Edited May 8, 2021 by Basbear

[Panthero]

If QB goes well?

Id say in draft order (not necessarily order of importance):

OT

C

LB

S

Itll be the first draft in several years where we cant just go BPA without over drafting specific positions. 

Edited May 11, 2021 by Panthero

[Panthero]

On 5/5/2021 at 8:21 AM, 45catfan said:

I know we just wrapped this one up, however, I knew at the completion of the 2020 draft what we needed to target this year and we did.  Those were QB, OT and CB on day 1 and day 2.  While we traded for Darnold and took our need for QB off the board, we still got the OT and CB early in the draft.  So in that regard, I was correct.  Not patting myself on the back here, merely saying it's possible to project needs for the following draft even this far out.

So, for the draft-niks out there, are there any holes on this roster now that we've completed this draft and FA that you feel must be addressed in next year's draft?  Give me your top three, ranked or un-ranked.

Mine are:

1) S-Do I need to explain this?  I think we do well enough this season to take a Safety in the back half of round 1 and get value.

2) LB-FAs on short-term deals and JAGS (I believe Chinn will be playing more of a role in the secondary)

3) DE- Not sold on YGM yet, Burns has issues staying healthy and no real depth to speak of--that 3rd rotational DE who could push to start.

I know 2020 was a heavy defensive draft using all seven picks and we still had holes even after doing so. That entire side of the ball was completely gutted, therefore, it had to be the primary focus of that draft.  We patched-worked some spots and continued to do so this year in FA and doubled down on CBs and DTs where I felt he had to in the draft.  I think next draft instead of plugging S, LB, and DE in FA, we draft to fill them.

I hadnt considered the DE, but that could be a sneaky need.