team needs – Page 5 – Syndication Server

How have the Dolphins addressed their primary offensive needs?

Back at the beginning of the 2021 offseason, we profiled what we felt were the Miami Dolphins’ three biggest needs on each side of the football were. Offensively, the punch list for the Dolphins was painfully obvious down the stretch. But given the way the Dolphins attacked their rebuild during the 2020 offseason (with a heavy focus on defense), that wasn’t necessarily a surprise. But the time for upgrade opportunities is wearing thin. How have the Dolphins done?

Here were our three primary needs on offense:

The biggest area of improvement falls with the wide receivers. Miami tabbed two speedsters in Will Fuller (free agency) and Jaylen Waddle (NFL Draft) to help bolster the skill group and we have a feeling creating after the catch will be a little easier for Dolphins receivers this year as as result. Too many times we saw the Dolphins struggle to break big plays due to the presence of bigger receivers — that problem is alleviated to some degree with the addition of these two burners.

And the offensive line appears to be improved as well. Ereck Flowers’ departure is addition by subtraction and the free agent signing of DJ Fluker should not be overlooked. But Miami also exchanged Ted Karras for Matt Skura at center (a push?) and added Liam Eichenberg with a trade-up in the 2nd-round. Regardless of where Eichenberg plays, Miami can re-shuffle the deck and find improved play at a guard spot with him in the mix.

The running back position didn’t get the glow up that many fans wanted this season. It also didn’t get the investment attention that the other two needs on offense did. But the Dolphins did add Malcolm Brown in free agency and Gerrid Doaks in the 7th-round to bring more size and physicality to the group.

Miami’s investments, much like on defense, aligned with our assessment of the roster at the end of the 2020 season. Now comes the fun part: finding out who can fill what voids for the 2021 season and beyond.

How have the Dolphins addressed their primary defensive needs?

Back at the beginning of the 2021 offseason, we profiled what we felt were the Miami Dolphins’ three biggest needs on each side of the football were. Defensively, the punch list for the Dolphins wasn’t necessarily large but it did spur some needed action out of the team to try their best to fine-tune a winning formula to compete with the high-powered offense of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.

What were those three primary needs?

With the majority of free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft behind us, Miami’s biggest chance to address such needs have come and one. And one thing that has to make Miami fans feel good is just how much the team did to take care of these defensive soft spots.

The inside linebacker role not only saw the Dolphins bring back Elandon Roberts, but the team also traded for ILB Benardrick McKinney to man the middle. His presence as a big body in the middle capable of filling gaps with authority will go a long way to ensure that Miami has the interior group on defense to be stout up the middle.

The pass rusher role was filled most effectively through the draft with the addition of this year’s best pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips. Phillips doesn’t have the cleanest resume as it pertains to healthy and durability, but he was fully healthy in 2020 and the end result was a masterful season as a disruptive presence for the Hurricanes. The challenge Miami faces is hoping that Phillips can be an impact player right away for them. But if he is, the defense will reap the benefits.

And at nickel cornerback, Miami went “all-in” to find a new presence. The team did bring back RFA Nik Needham but also signed free agent Justin Coleman and drafted Oregon safety Jevon Holland to play a role all over the secondary as well. One of his frequent alignments in college? You guessed it.

In the slot.

It seems as though Miami felt similarly with their roster assessment at the end of the season. And, thankfully, the team acted confidently to move and fill those needs ahead of the 2021 season.

Updated Saints draft needs going into Day 3 of 2021 draft

The New Orleans Saints addressed their two most important needs early in the 2021 NFL draft, but they could still use more help at receiver.

The New Orleans Saints addressed their two most important needs on the second day of the 2021 NFL draft, but they could still use more help at a few other positions. After reinforcing their defensive line with Houston’s Payton Turner in the first round, they brought in a starting linebacker in Ohio State’s Pete Werner and an electrifying cornerback with Stanford’s Paulson Adebo. So where should they go next? Let’s update their positional needs:

Chargers’ top 6 team needs entering 2021 NFL draft

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco will have to address these positions in the upcoming draft.

We are just two days away from the 2020 NFL draft.

On paper, the Chargers have a good-looking roster but there are still a few holes that need to be filled in order to be equipped to compete with the Chiefs for the division title.

With that being said, here are the six biggest holes on the team, taking into account both the immediate and the future.

Left tackle

If the Chargers wish to get the most out of quarterback Justin Herbert for years to come, they need to protect his blindside at all costs. At the moment, Trey Pipkins is penciled in as the starter. Pipkins, the team’s third-round pick of 2019, has shown flashes but he’s still quite a bit away from being relied on in that role. Despite general manager Tom Telesco claiming they’re “bullish” on him, I don’t buy it. Los Angeles also has Storm Norton on the roster, but he is nothing more than a swing option. This should be addressed with their first two picks, with the first-round being the most optimal route.

Cornerback

Michael Davis is a starter on the outside. Chris Harris Jr. will mainly man the slot, but he will move outside in base. Brandon Facyson is likely just a depth piece. Ryan Smith has experience as a starter, but he was signed to be a special teams ace. The team also has Tevaughn Campbell, Donte Vaughn and John Brannon on the roster, but none of them have the experience to be counted on as starters. Therefore, the group is not a finished product and they will need to add another player with the ability to start right off the bat, which will likely be done with one of their first two draft picks.

Safety

After the departure of Rayshawn Jenkins earlier this offseason, there are only three safeties on the roster: Derwin James, Nasir Adderley and Alohi Gilman. James has dealt with two consecutive major injuries. While he can turn it around in Year 3, Adderley is coming off a sophomore slump. Gilman isn’t much of a scheme fit. Given the fact that head coach Brandon Staley likes to roll with three-safety looks, the team will be looking to add another one, likely with someone who can play on the back end of the defense and move inside to defend slot wide receivers and tight ends.

Guard

Los Angeles signed Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi last month. There’s no guarantee that Aboushi will be a starter and he is only on a one-year deal. In addition, the depth behind them is practically nonexistent. For a team that has dealt with the injury bug up front, they could benefit from adding two, but a mid rounder in particular to offer competition with the ability to start in Year 2.

Edge defender

Joey Bosa will play on the “edge” of the defense, but will move around a lot. Uchenna Nwosu enters the season as a starting edge defender. Kyler Fackrell along with Emeke Egbule will come on the field as rotational pass-rushers. It’s worth noting that Nwosu and Fackrell’s contracts will expire at the end of the season. Staley will be intrigued to draft a player who fits his mold, one who’s lengthy and explosive with the ability to set the edge versus tight ends and dominate the edge in the run game.

Tight end

After losing Hunter Henry to the Patriots, the Chargers signed Jared Cook. In addition, they re-signed Stephen Anderson. Despite the acquisitions and Donald Parham being in the room, the team needs to add a blocking tight end who can line up inline to complement Cook, and one who can take over the starting role in 2022 considering the fact that the 34-year old is only a one-year deal.

Chargers’ top 6 team needs entering 2021 NFL draft

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco will have to address these positions in the upcoming draft.

We are just two days away from the 2020 NFL draft.

On paper, the Chargers have a good-looking roster but there are still a few holes that need to be filled in order to be equipped to compete with the Chiefs for the division title.

With that being said, here are the six biggest holes on the team, taking into account both the immediate and the future.

Left tackle

Cornerback

Safety

Guard

Edge defender

Tight end

NFL Network breaks down Jags’ biggest draft needs

Beyond quarterback, Dan Parr thinks the Jags need to target a tight end, safety and offensive and defensive linemen.

Though they missed out on the sweepstakes for some high profile players like tackle Trent Williams and tight end Hunter Henry, the Jacksonville Jaguars used their league-leading cap space to address quite a few positions of need. The team added starting-caliber players in the secondary in Shaquill Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins, and on the defensive line it added Roy Robertson-Harris, Jihad Ward and Malcom Brown.

Offensively, the team didn’t do as much, but it did bring in a productive receiver in Marvin Jones as well as an experienced running back in Carlos Hyde. Still, according to NFL Network’s Dan Parr, the team still has several areas of need heading into the NFL draft.

Biggest needs: QB, TE, DL, S, OL

After scratching the first need off the list with the draft’s top pick, the Jaguars can turn their attention to finding a pass-catching weapon at tight end and supplementing a defense that had some major holes plugged via free agency.

The first area of need is simple enough, as the team will almost certainly make quarterback Trevor Lawrence the first overall pick. Once that’s out of the way though, the Jags have some decisions to make. After not landing a starter at tight end in free agency, the team will possibly target Pat Freiermuth from Penn State, who’s considered the second-best tight end prospect in the draft. If he falls out of the first round, look for the Jags to target him at No. 33.

The other needs are not quite as pressing. Despite the signings along the defensive line, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Jacksonville to target an interior defensive lineman like Alabama’s Christian Barmore with the 25th pick. The team could still likely use another starting safety (potentially Trevon Moehrig if the team decides to go secondary with the 25th pick instead).

After franchise tagging Cam Robinson, offensive line is no longer as crucial a position of need. Still, with a starting left tackle not secured beyond 2021, it would make some sense to take a guy early in this draft who could start down the line.

The Jags have a lot of different directions they could go early in the draft. Luckily, they have a lot of chances. With four picks in the first-two rounds, Jacksonville has a chance to get a lot better very quickly.

Saints Wire Podcast, Ep. 25: Thoughts on first wave of free agency

https://omny.fm/shows/saints-wire/how-dangerous-will-these-new-look-saints-be-in-202/embed We’re onto Episode 25 of the Saints Wire Podcast, hosted as always by Ryan O’Leary ( @RyanOLearySMG) with Saints Wire managing editor John Sigler ( …

We’re onto Episode 25 of the Saints Wire Podcast, hosted as always by Ryan O’Leary (@RyanOLearySMG) with Saints Wire managing editor John Sigler (@john_siglerr). You can subscribe for new episodes on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app of choice, and catch up on past episodes in the playlist embedded below.

The first big wave of free agency has crashed over the NFL, taking several big names from the Saints with it: Trey Hendrickson, Sheldon Rankins, and a number of tough salary cap cuts, too. We dug into those losses and what the expectations might be for the Saints this year and how their offseason strategy is beginning to take shape, so listen in:

Why Troy Aikman was spot on with ‘So many things that have to be addressed’ for Cowboys

Hall of Famer Troy Aikman gave an honest critique of his former team on Tuesday night, saying the direction of the organization is unknown.

The 2020 Dallas Cowboys have hit rock bottom. Their 34-17 loss on Tuesday night to the Baltimore Ravens was their second straight and the sixth defeat in their last seven games. Defensively, they gave up nearly 300 yards rushing and the 34 points they yeilded was the seventh time an opponent has reached that mark this season.

Hall of Fame quarterback and Cowboys legend Troy Aikman knows all about struggling under the bright lights of Dallas, Texas. After being the top pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Aikman lost all 11 of his rookie starts and the team went 1-15. The three-time Super Bowl champion gave a brutally honest assessment of where his former team is going forward while covering the game for FOX.

“I wouldn’t say this is necessarily over, but it’s hard to keep saying that when you’re not winning football games,” Aikman said. “I mean, I don’t know… I just don’t know where this organization… where they go. There are just so many things that have to be addressed this offseason.”

He couldn’t have been more spot on with his critique. The biggest elephant in the room this offseason will be the contract situation of Dak Prescott. He signed a franchise tag that paid him $31.4 million in 2020 back in June, and that number will balloon to around $38 million if another tag is applied in 2021. Both sides have been adamant that they want a long-term marriage. However, with the Cowboys 1-6 record since Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury the organization may be more ready than ever to make that a reality.

The offensive line has been a disaster, to say the least. Perennial All-Pro guard Zack Martin was placed on injured reserve recently with a calf injury. The biggest issue, however, has been at tackle. Tyron Smith and La’el Collins both suffered season-ending injuries. Smith missed three games in each of the previous four seasons and Collins had hip surgery, which can be a tricky ailment to recover from. Looking for a young tackle in the draft could be a focal point.

On defense the Cowboys have been even worse. They currently ranked No. 32 in rushing yards allowed (167.8) and points allowed per game (32.8). Defensive tackle was thought to have been addressed during the last offseason with the additions of Gerald Mcoy and Dontari Poe. Unfortunately, McCoy was waived after rupturing his right quad in August, and Poe was released in October due to underperforming and weight issues according to owner Jerry Jones. Rookie Neville Gallimore has shown a few flashes as well as Antwaun Woods, but the interior defensive line remains an issue to be addressed.

The linebacker situation is an interesting one as well. Veteran Sean Lee will be a free agent in 2021. Leighton Vander Esch missed seven games in 2019 with a neck issue and four this season with a broken collarbone. The Cowboys have a lot of money tied into Jaylon Smith but his play hasn’t lived up to expectations in 2020, and the team could get out of his deal before the 2021 season. This uncertainty makes a player like Penn State’s Micah Parsons one to keep an eye on if the Cowboys keep a top 5 pick in next year’s draft.

The secondary could likely see a major overhaul.

Cornerback’s Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie as well as safety Xavier Woods are all currently in contract seasons, and none have shown much consistently to be a top priority once the offseason hits. Rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs showed flashes of how good he could be before a broken foot in Week 9 put him on the shelf for 4-6 weeks, and he was eventually placed on injured reserve a week later. Another bright spot has been safety Donovan Wilson who finally got his shot to contribute, but a groin injury forced him to miss Week 13. Cornerback and safety should be high on the 2021 priority list in Dallas.

It’s impossible to predict what the Cowboys will look like next season, but they have a plethora of changes to make if they want to be a contender anytime soon.

[listicle id=659697][listicle id=659687][lawrence-newsletter]

What are Dolphins’ biggest defensive needs at mid-way point of 2020?

The Miami Dolphins will play their eighth football game of the season this upcoming weekend in Arizona against the Cardinals, guaranteed to be at least .500 and well in the thick of the chase for the postseason after stringing together a stretch of wins over the month of October and the start of November. Over the past month, it has been easy to forget that this is a rebuilding franchise that still has plenty of work ahead of them to become the Super Bowl contender they aspire to be.

But there’s plenty of work to be done yet. And as much as the next two months is about chasing the postseason, it’s also going to center around continuing to evaluate this roster and identifying the most pressing issues.

What stands out through the first eight weeks of the 2020 season for the Dolphins? Here are the most pressing issues on the defense entering the mid-way point on the schedule.

October 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Elandon Roberts (44) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Linebacker

The Dolphins’ current middle linebacker situation showcases Elandon Roberts and, at times, Jerome Baker. Baker played one hell of a game against the Rams and has the range to be an impactful player. Baker has a future with this team, but the more you play him in space or as a pressure player with his quickness, the more success you should expect to have. Playing him as a true inside (MIKE) linebacker isn’t where he’s best suited to play; Miami needs someone with some pop there.

That’s where Elandon Roberts comes in; as he’s effectively taken on the Raekwon McMillan role in the Dolphins’ defense. But imagine if Miami has a player with the physicality of Roberts and McMillan but also has more versatility to stay on the field in 3rd down situations. That’s a player the Dolphins currently don’t have — and finding one would be adding a whole new element to their defensive structure.

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What are Dolphins’ biggest offensive needs at mid-way point of 2020?

What stands out through the first eight weeks of the 2020 season for the Dolphins? Here are the most pressing issues on the offense entering the mid-way point on the schedule.

Wide Receiver

The Dolphins have shown that they like to spread the love in the passing game and there have been big performances this season from DeVante Parker, Preston Williams and Mike Gesicki. Parker is the de facto No. 1 receiver and will surely have a primary target share in the future so long as he’s healthy. Gesicki is a receiving tight end but he’s really a big slot receiver — Miami can play matchups with him and target him when they like their one on ones; as evidenced by some of his intermittent production this season.

Williams has been a frustrating play for Miami. And the rest of the wide receiver room is also littered with questions. Can Isaiah Ford beat man coverage or will he be primarily a zone beater? Can Jakeem Grant string together strong play at wide receiver and eliminate some of the errors in his targets and touches?

And most importantly: who is going to be the explosive, big play weapon? Miami currently doesn’t have one who can take the ball short and create a chunk gain with it after the catch. Grant is physically capable of being that player, but he hasn’t produced that success yet

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