team needs – Syndication Server

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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Saints shouldn’t let signing Chase Young stop them from drafting another pass rusher

The Saints shouldn’t let signing Chase Young stop them from drafting another pass rusher. They need more firepower regardless of Young’s health:

Even if Chase Young was fully healthy, the New Orleans Saints should still consider drafting more pass-rush help in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Young’s uncertain health status ahead of neck surgery only makes the statement more true. The signing allows you to not reach for an edge rusher, but it shouldn’t keep you from drafting one if an impact player is there.

There are enough talented pass-rushing defensive ends on this roster to make the sentiment questionable, however, the room isn’t quite set up for the future. Chase Young is on a one-year contract. Tanoh Kpassagnon is a free agent next year. Payton Turner will be as well unless the team picks up his fifth year option. As a matter of fact, an impactful rookie could make Turner expendable during camp. Alabama’s Dallas Turner and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu have been popular picks for the Saints in recent mock drafts.

Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey, and Cameron Jordan are the only core edge rushers under contract for 2025. There’s questions within that triumvirate moving forward as well given each player’s age, past production, and injury outlook. There are bodies at the position, but the position shouldn’t be considered stable. Signing Young makes you feel satisfied with your 2024 outlook, so drafting an edge rusher at No. 14 isn’t a must-have, but it should be seen as a priority. It could still be a huge benefit for this year and moving forward if the right guy falls to New Orleans.

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Video: Breaking down the Lions’ top 5 offseason needs with Ourlads Scouting

What are the biggest needs for the Detroit Lions heading into the 2024 offseason?

With the NFL’s free agency about to hit and the NFL Scouting Combine on tap for next week, there’s going to be a lot of attention on what the Lions need to fill out their roster. What will help Detroit remain as legitimate Super Bowl contenders and even augment their chances to bring home the team’s first title since 1957?

In this video, in conjunction with OurLads Scouting, I went through the top five Lion’s needs entering the offseason. The biggest need is self-obvious, but beyond that, there is some flexibility in the need flow chart.

Thanks to Greg DePalma and Ourlads Scouting for the fun, informative video and the invite to join them to break it all down.

Saints must address these 4 positions this offseason

In order to be better than 9-8 and make the playoffs, the Saints must improve at these 4 positions:

The New Orleans Saints ended last season with a 9-8 record with an easy schedule. Obviously, the team has a lot of room to improve. The first step was adding Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. His addition should help New Orleans win with scheme as well as talent instead of relying strictly on the players.

There need to be improvements to the roster as well. There is a lot of uncertainty along the offensive line at a couple of positions. That is the paramount concern as it has the ability to cripple the offense. What are the other biggest positions of need?

10 positions of need for the Broncos in 2024

Here is our list of 10 positions the Broncos should address this offseason.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton are about to have a busy offseason.

The Broncos are projected to be about $24 million over the salary cap and the team only holds six picks to use in the 2024 NFL draft. Those circumstances could make it difficult for Denver to improve a roster that has plenty of holes going into Payton’s second season.

The Broncos will likely acquire a few more draft picks via trades this spring, and the team can also cut select players and make contract adjustments to create more cap space. It will be a big task, but Denver can add draft capital and create enough cap space to make some key moves this offseason.

So, once the Broncos have the resources required to add players, what positions should Denver target? We’ve put together a list of ten team needs, five on offense and five on defense. Between free agency the draft, the Broncos should address these positions this offseason.

Ranking the Lions offseason needs for 2024

Here’s an early look at the Lions’ biggest needs in free agency and the 2024 NFL draft.

It’s officially the offseason for the Detroit Lions after the disspiriting loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. The offseason focus is on how to take the next step to potentially host that NFC title game after the 2024 season and win it, too.

The Lions will look different in 2024. All teams suffer some roster turnover, and the Lions are no different. Detroit has 19 unrestricted free agents who are coming off the roster, as well as some who are under contract but might not make the cut into the next year, for either performance or salary purposes.

What do the Lions need to make that next step? Here’s an early look at the biggest needs in free agency and the 2024 NFL draft.

Plenty of options at positions of need for the Saints at the 2024 Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is always a big step for the New Orleans Saints in their pre-draft process — they drafted three players from the event last year and signed a couple more as undrafted free agents. And this year’s Senior Bowl has plenty of talent. The Saints will have scouts and coaches in attendance evaluating the upcoming 2024 draft prospects through a week of interviews and three days of practices leading up to the all-star game itself.

We’ve highlighted some players to watch at positions of need for the Saints as all eyes turn to the Senior Bowl:

Ranking the Saints’ most important team needs for 2024

Musts, needs, and wants: Highlighting the New Orleans Saints’ areas of concern for 2024 with targets for free agency and the NFL draft

It’s no secret that the New Orleans Saints are a flawed team: their three-year playoffs drought is proof of it. So changes are obviously going to be needed this offseason. But where to begin? Who could cure what ails them?

Some disgruntled fans are calling for an overhaul of team leadership with a new head coach, general manager, and quarterback, but none of those things are going to happen this offseason. We need to keep expectations realistic.

Here are some positions of need the Saints should prioritize in the spring, along with realistic free agent targets and possible draft prospects who might be available when New Orleans is on the clock.

New Orleans Saints 7-round mock draft to jumpstart the offseason

Big changes are in store for the New Orleans Saints. Here’s our first 7-round mock draft to jumpstart the 2024 offseason:

The New Orleans Saints’ season is over and their spot in the draft’s first round is decided. That means it is time to start the season that his been more fun to watch the last couple of season, it’s time for mock drafts!

The goal for this draft is pretty clear for the Saints: address the trenches. They have players getting old or looking lost out there at times and need to bring in some fresh meat on both sides of the ball. There are other spots that could be addressed, but that should be the key. How the board falls could also really affect how the Saints look to attack this draft. And of course it all kicks off after free agency, giving New Orleans an opportunity to address their needs sooner.

Here is a starting point of expectations for this year with a full 7-round Saints mock draft:

5 free agents Saints fans should watch in Cowboys vs. Packers

5 pending free agents New Orleans Saints fans should watch in Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers playoff game:

The New Orleans Saints are stuck watching the playoffs from home, but it’s a good opportunity for fans to scout some of the top players headed for free agency — and both the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers have some playmakers who could interest the Saints if they hit the open market.

Here are five pending free agents we’ll be looking for on Sunday afternoon: