Tag: Anthony Stalter (Page 20 of 133)

2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC East | AFC North | NFC East | NFC North

No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals
Top Needs: WR, S, DE, QB
If the Bengals trade Carson Palmer this offseason then quarterback obviously moves to the top of the list, but as of right now it appears as if Palmer will be the team’s starter for at least one more season. Receiver is a definite area of concern, as Terrell Owens is a free agent and it’s uncertain if Chad Ochocinco will be back. If he isn’t, then they’ll need a No. 1 (Jordan Shipley and Andre Caldwell are good players, but neither of them are top guys) and could target A.J. Green with the No. 4 pick. Defensively, finding a free safety is a must because Chris Crocker is average at best and Roy Williams (the team’s strong safety) is a liability in coverage. They added Reggie Nelson, but he’s struggled since his rookie season and isn’t reliable. Defensive end isn’t a pressing need because they have Carlos Dunlap, Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom and Michael Johnson, but Geathers is a rotational guy, Odom is injury-prone and Johnson is still a project. It may be hard for the Bengals to pass on D’aQuan Bowers if he falls to No. 4.
First Round Possibilities: D’aQuan Bowers (Clemson), A.J. Green (Georgia), Nick Fairley (Auburn), Cam Newton (Auburn), Robert Quinn (North Carolina).

No. 6 Cleveland Browns
Top Needs: WR, DE, LB, OT
Mike Holmgren found a head coach in Pat Shurmur to run his West Coast Offense and if we’re under the assumption that the Browns have their quarterback in Colt McCoy, then the team has two main priorities this offseason: Get younger and better on defense and find a true No. 1 wideout. Mohamed Massaquoi has flashed enough potential to be viewed as a starter, but is he a true No. 1? Because if he’s not and A.J. Green is sitting there at No. 6, it may be hard for Holmgren not to pull the trigger on the most NFL-ready prospect in the entire draft. If Green isn’t there and Holmgren isn’t sold on Alabama’s Julio Jones being a No. 1, then the Browns will likely address their defense. Robaire Smith is a free agent and has likely spent his last days in Cleveland. Shaun Rogers was just released. Derreck Robinson and Brian Schaefering are better options off the bench or in a rotation, and Kenyon Coleman is entering the final year of his contract. Suffice it to say, the Browns have needs along the defensive line, which is good seeing as how that position is the deepest in the draft. I also wouldn’t rule out the Browns taking another cornerback, seeing as how Eric Wright is a free agent and Sheldon Brown isn’t getting any younger.
First Round Possibilities: A.J. Green (Georgia), Julio Jones (Alabama), Marcell Dareus (Alabama), Nick Fairley (Auburn), Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Patrick Peterson (LSU).

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2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC East | AFC North | NFC East | NFC North

No. 9 Dallas Cowboys
Top Needs: S, OT, CB
The Cowboys’ biggest priority heading into the offseason appears to be safety. Alan Ball’s lackluster play at free safety was one of the main reasons the Cowboys were torched through the air last season. If he returns, it’ll likely be as a backup in a nickel or dime package. Gerald Sensabaugh is a free agent and even if he does come back, the ‘Boys are likely to add another body to push him for the starting job. Seeing as how Mike Jenkins and Terrence Newman also contributed to the team’s problems in pass defense, the Cowboys will probably look to add more pieces at cornerback as well. Offensively, there’s talk that right tackle Marc Colombo could be released over concerns about his durability and declining production. Alex Barron resembled a turnstile when he played, so chances are the tackle position will be a priority for Dallas this offseason as well. You may even see them draft a tackle in the first round.
First Round Possibilities: Anthony Castonzo (Boston College), Nate Solder (Colorado), Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Stefan Wisniewski (Penn State), Tyron Smith (USC), Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Jimmy Smith (Colorado), Patrick Peterson (LSU).

No. 10 Washington Redskins
Top Needs: QB, WR, LB, RB, OT, CB, DT
What don’t the Redskins need? It’s highly unlikely that they’ll pay Donovan McNabb when it’s clear that Mike Shanahan doesn’t have a ton of trust in him to run his offense. So then what? Do they go with Rex Grossman as the starter? Do they draft a signal caller in the first round? The entire offense is lacking playmakers, especially at the wide receiver position. Santana Moss is their top playmaker but he’s a free agent and Malcolm Kelly has been a major disappointment. So if Washington doesn’t draft a QB in the first round, they could certainly target a wideout like Alabama’s Julio Jones. Defensively, Andre Carter is a bad fit for the 3-4 and Rocky McIntosh is a free agent that probably won’t be back because Shanahan was none too pleased that he skipped all of 2010 offseason workouts. London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo remain fixtures at linebacker, but the Skins need to add another pass-rusher opposite Orakpo on the outside. At cornerback, DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers are both free agents, but the Skins can’t allow both of them to walk with so few draft picks. Once Albert Haynesworth is dumped, the defensive tackle position becomes a need as well. Simply put, the Skins have too many holes to fill in just one offseason. It’s going to take Shanahan and Bruce Allen time to rebuild this roster.
First Round Possibilities: A.J. Green (Georgia), Julio Jones (Alabama), Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), Mike Pouncey (Florida), Anthony Castonzo (Boston College), Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Cam Newton (Auburn), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Marcell Dareus (Alabama), J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), Von Miller (Mississippi State), Akeen Ayers (UCLA).

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