Tag: draft needs

Adding TE Brock Wright would dramatically change 49ers draft needs

The #49ers may be able to cross something off their NFL draft needs.

The 49ers made an intriguing free agency play by signing Lions restricted free agent TE Brock Wright to an offer sheet. It was a signal that the team not only recognizes its obvious need on their TE depth chart. but that they’re also hopeful to fill it with a veteran they trust to take TE2 snaps right away. Doing so would alter their needs in this year’s draft, where adding a TE was relatively high on the priority list.

San Francisco is in a little bit of a strange spot with their tight end room. George Kittle is coming off an All-Pro campaign and didn’t shown a ton of signs of slowing down in his Age 30 season. They don’t really need a starter, so typically they’d be able to wait later in the draft to find a player they like.

However, with only 2023 third-round pick Cameron Latu and 2023 seventh-round pick Brayden Willis on the roster, it stands to reason San Francisco might want to find a player they trust more to take between 25-30 percent of the snaps in 2024. That’s where a higher draft pick would come in, since an earlier selection could net them a more pro-ready prospect.

Wright changes the calculus on all of that if the 49ers are able to secure him in restricted free agency.

With Wright backing up Kittle, the 49ers’ need at TE in the draft only goes as far as they believe (or don’t believe) Latu and Willis can develop into contributors. Given that Latu didn’t play his rookie year because of an injury and Willis played only sparingly on offense, it stands to reason San Francisco would give them both opportunities to compete in their second seasons. Wright’s experience and production as a blocker and pass catcher would open the door for the 49ers to give that duo some runway they may not have without a veteran above them on the depth chart.

If the Lions choose to match San Francisco’s offer sheet for Wright, it would make sense for the 49ers to head back into the free agent TE market. If they don’t go the free agent route though, we can put TE right back up near the top of the 49ers’ positional needs heading into the 2024 draft.

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New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh tips off which position he views most important

Harbaugh stressed how critical the offensive line is for a team’s success, perhaps tipping off the Chargers’ plans with the No. 5 overall pick

The Los Angeles Chargers and new head coach Jim Harbaugh currently hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. With the team set at quarterback with Justin Herbert but major questions at several other roster spots, projections for what the Chargers do with that valuable pick are varied.

After listening to Harbaugh talk this week, it’s pretty clear which position the coach wants to use. The former Michigan coach left little doubt which position he values the most.

“If I asked you the question, ‘What position group depends on no other position group to be good, but every other position group depends on them to be good, what position group is that’?”, Harbaugh stated at the NFL owners’ meetings in Orlando this week.

“Offensive line,” was his quick answer. “They’re not relying on any other position group to be good. But yet every other position group relies on the offensive line to be good.”

 

 

Notre Dame OT Joe Alt has been one of the most frequently projected players to Los Angeles with the fifth pick. After listening to Harbaugh, expect that player/team/slot marriage to become even more popular.

Tyron Smith departing Dallas jumpstarts Cowboys’ OT need in the draft

Tyron Smith likely departing Dallas jumpstarts Cowboys’ OT need in the draft

One of the staples along the Dallas Cowboys offensive line and a likely future hall of famer is set to move on from big D. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Tyron Smith is unlikely to re-sign with Dallas this offseason and is set to sign with any NFL team.

The loss of a franchise staple at one of the most important position in the sport is going to force Dallas to reevaluate their draft boards and put more emphasis on a usually dominant position group. Though the Cowboys do have a potential replacement in last years first round pick Tyler Smith, it’s uncertain that they would want to move Smith from guard where he looked excellent during his rookie season.

On the opposite side of Tyron Smith the right tackle who signed an extension just last season, Terence Steele, struggled last season and could face challengers from the draft or in free agency.

Luckily for Dallas they enter a draft group with plenty of offensive line help. Whether they choose to bump Tyler Smith to left tackle and address the interior in the class, or look to land a left tackle in the first round, the depth of this class provides Jerry Jones & company with plenty of options.

2024 NFL draft: Updated Buffalo Bills draft needs

The Bills can use help at all levels on defense.

When you think of the Buffalo Bills, you think of quarterback Josh Allen. Although he struggles with consistency at times, he has become a star in the league in part because of his ability to elevate the play of those around him.

Looking ahead to the 2024 NFL draft, the Bills must continue to build around Allen and make his life easier. This means not only getting him more weapons but dedicating a lot of resources to all three levels on defense. Here are our updated Bills draft needs.

Broncos’ team needs in 2023 NFL draft

Do you agree with these positions of need for the Broncos going into the NFL draft?

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton only has five picks to use in the 2023 NFL draft this week, so he will need to get the most out of the club’s mid-round picks.

Denver did a good job patching up holes during free agency, so the Broncos do not have many big draft needs going into the draft. Denver does have a few positions of need that could be addressed, though.

Here’s a quick look at our list of the top five draft needs for the Broncos.

  • Cornerback: CB2-caliber defensive back to pair with Pat Surtain, bumping Damarri Mathis to CB3 duties.
  • Defensive end: Starting-caliber player to help replace DeShawn Williams on the defensive line.
  • Center: Real competition for Lloyd Cushenberry.
  • Running back: RB3 with upside to pair with Samaje Perine early in the season while Javonte Williams recovers from knee injury.
  • Offensive line depth: Backup swing tackle and guard depth.

There are, of course, many other positions Denver could target, ranging from pass rusher to tight end. The Broncos have said they plan to draft “the best player available” at each pick, so the team won’t be reaching to fill needs during the draft.

If the team can walk away from the draft with several of these positions solidified, though, the roster will look much better going into training camp.

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Other NFL teams reportedly convinced Jaguars will draft DL in 1st round

A defensive lineman to the Jaguars is the safest bet Thursday. At least that’s what other NFL teams reportedly think.

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t hid their desire to upgrade their pass rush. In March, head coach Doug Pederson said improvements in that area are “vital” before the 2023 season begins.

Evidently, other NFL teams have taken note.

In a mock draft published Wednesday, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports projected Jacksonville will take Clemson’s Myles Murphy with the 24th overall pick. Jones also added that he did so because NFL teams have told him they’re preparing for the Jaguars to look to add talent to their defensive front.

“Every team I talk to keeps mocking defensive linemen to Jacksonville, so I send them the best one available.”

While some have suggested the Jaguars could pick an offensive lineman or a tight end, pass rushers and defensive backs have been overwhelmingly favored to be the 24th selection in mock drafts.

In a recent interview, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network said Jacksonville  covets Illinois cornerback Devon Weatherspoon, Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, and Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness most among the first round prospects.

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Updated 2023 NFL draft needs: AFC South

Two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL draft should end up in the AFC South.

The AFC South is one of the most competitive divisions in the AFC despite being four of the most different teams in the NFL. A huge mix of young players leading teams, veterans trying to hold things together and lots of turnover among coaching staffs. All four of these teams need to maximize their picks in the 2023 NFL draft in a wide-open division.

Broncos Wire podcast: Draft needs, remaining free agents and more

On this week’s Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Denver’s big draft needs, remaining free agents and more. Listen in!

With the 2023 NFL draft now just one week away, we discuss the team’s top needs on this week’s Broncos Wire podcast. The episode also touches on some of the team’s remaining free agents, the team’s upcoming alternate helmet and more.

This week’s episode (No. 77) with host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on Twitter) can be heard below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Our unedited notes for this week’s pod can be seen below. 

1. Latavius Murray unlikely to re-sign? 
  • Murray visited the Bills last week and 9News reported that the running back is unlikely to re-sign with the Broncos.
  • That very well might be the case, but I can’t help but think back to the Melvin Gordon situation last spring.
  • When Melvin Gordon was unsigned into April last year, many speculated that he wouldn’t return to Denver. It looked like he was set to sign with the Ravens … then, right before the draft, the Broncos re-signed Gordon.
  • I don’t think Murray will re-sign before the draft, but I haven’t ruled out the possibility of him remaining in Denver.
2. What are the Broncos’ positions of need in the NFL draft?
  • Denver currently has five draft picks, with two in the third round.
  • Here are five remaining positions of need:
  • 1. Cornerback: Damarri Mathis showed last year he’s capable of starting across from Pat Surtain, but I’d love him as a CB3 instead of a CB2.
  • 2. Center: Right now, Lloyd Cushenberry is penciled in as the starter with Kyle Fuller providing competition. Would like more upside at C.
  • 3. Defensive line depth: After losing Dre’Mont Jones and DeShawn Williams, the Broncos did add Zach Allen, but they still need more depth.
  • 4. Offensive line depth: The Broncos could use a backup swing tackle and another interior offensive lineman.
  • 5. Third-string RB with upside: Samaje Perine is an excellent insurance back with Javonte Williams facing an uncertain recovery timeline, but the Broncos still need a quality third-string RB (who could be the RB2 early in the season).
  • Bonus: New model of Taysom Hill (such as Jack Colletto) and a returner candidate (perhaps a WR or CB who returns). You can also never have too many pass rushers.
3. Broncos’ in-house free agents still unsigned 
  • RB Latavius Murray, DB Kareem Jackson, OT Cam Fleming, TE Eric Tomlinson, OL Dalton Risner, QB Brett Rypien, OT Billy Turner, OL Tom Compton, RB Marlon Mack, RB Marlon Mack, OLB Jonathan Kongbo and CB Darius Phillips are still available.
  • Perhaps Denver will bring one or two of them back after the draft.
Miscellaneous: Sutton note, NFL franchise cost, new helmets and a new stadium 
  • The Ravens tried to trade for Courtland Sutton this offseason but Denver turned them down. We don’t need to rehash the WR situation because we discussed it last week, but just a note that the Ravens had interest. They later signed Odell Beckham.
  • After failing to buy the Broncos last offseason, a Josh Harris-led group is expected to buy the Washington Commanders for $6 billion. Denver went for a $4.65 billion price last year. Rob Walton got a “Great Value” buy.
  • The Broncos will debut new alternate helmets with their Color Rush uniforms this season. In a teaser photo, the helmet appears to be white. Denver has also hinted that new uniforms are in the works, but those won’t be ready before 2024 at the earliest.
  • The Broncos have started polling fans about the possibility of a new stadium and — of course — personal seat licenses (PSLs) to help build it. With the richest ownership group in the NFL (by far), the Broncos should not be asking fans to help build a new super stadium.
  • Also, a new stadium would likely include a roof for hosting a Super Bowl. If that happens, it could be retractable, but a roof would likely rule out the possibility of snow games. Don’t love that.
What’s next? 
  • The NFL draft is next week! We’ll recap my final Broncos mock draft on next week’s episode.

Ryan and I will return next week to give a final Broncos mock draft right before the NFL draft begins. If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at IDL ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at IDL ahead of NFL Draft

We take a look at the interior defensive line for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Bilal Nichols, John Jenkins

Depth: Jordan Willis, Adam Butler, Neil Farrell Jr, Matthew Butler, Adam Butler, Kyle Peko, Jerry Tillery

Andrew Billings was the Raiders’ best interior defensive lineman last season. So, of course, he was allowed to leave in free agency.

Though, to be honest, even Billings’s play wasn’t a high bar to clear. Which shows just how poorly this group performed last season. Their answer was to add Jordan Willis and 34-year-old John Jenkins.

Last year they used a couple draft picks on Neil Farrell Jr and Matthew Butler, but as of yet they have not shown they are the answer at either interior DL spot. And thus, the team is still left with glaring need. 

Condition: Serious

It’s still past time for this team take this spot seriously and bring in a dominant force in the middle. Though that may be a tough ask in this draft with all their other needs.

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Broncos’ top positions of need in 2023 NFL draft

What are the Broncos’ top needs going into the 2023 NFL draft?

After patching up a bunch of holes during NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos do not have a massive list of needs for the 2023 NFL draft.

That’s good news because the Broncos currently only hold five picks overall, and the team does not have any selections in the first or second rounds. Denver general manager George Paton will have to make the most of his limited draft capital later this month.

Two of the team’s biggest positions of need are at cornerback and center. Most of the Broncos’ other positions of need are mostly depth related.

Here’s a quick look at the team’s biggest remaining roster needs.