Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Some thoughts:
QB:
1-Carson Palmer---two year window as starter remains.
2-Trade Drew Stanton ($3.2M) to the Bills for RB Fred Jackson ($2.7M)---add $500K of cap space.
3-Draft: Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson or Sean Mannion (Day 2)
4-FA Signing: Mike Vick---still throws a great deep ball---can start if need be and can help team prepare for Russell Wilson
5-Logan Thomas---keep developing
RB:
1-Andre Ellington---split touches with Jackson and Williams
2-Fred Jackson---tough RB who breaks tackles, had 66 receptions last year
3-Kerwynn Williams---hits the hole on a dime, runs fearlessly
4-Draft: Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley (Day 1), Tevin Coleman, T.J. Yeldon, Ameer Abdullah, Duke Johnson, or Jay Ajayi (Day 2) or Jeremy Langford, David Cobb or John Crockett (Day 3)
5-Bubble: Stepfan Taylor, Marion Grice, Robert Hughes
LT
1-Jared Veldheer---forms monster left side with Iupati
2-Draft: Cam Erving (can back up at LT if needed)
3-Bubble: Bradley Sowell
LG
1-Mike Iupati---forms monster left side with Veldheer
2-Jonathan Cooper---can slide back over if need be
3-Ted Larsen---swing G/C
4-Anthony Steen---on Larsen's heels for swing C/G spot
C
Plan A:
1-Draft: Cam Erving---imagine a trio of Iupati---Erving---Cooper.
2. A.Q. Shipley---backs up
Plan B (if Erving is off the board, which I believe he will be):
1. A.Q. Shipley---we will see why BA&HG love this kid
2. Ted Larsen---backs up and could win job in close competition. Coaches like him as the swing G/C.
RG:
1-Jonathan Cooper---time is now.
2-FA signing: Justin Blalock---make Coop earn it.
3-Anthony Steen---could wind up winning the RG spot at some point.
4-Bubble: Earl Watford (no splash to date, despite good physical traits) and Antoine McClain (massive and talented, but has had weight and conditioning issues)
RT:
1-Bobby Massie---developing well
2-Draft Cam Erving---love this guy's versatility
3-Cameron Bradfield---solid pickup earlier this off-season
4-Bradley Sowell---has to beat out Bradfield for swing tackle spot and would have the upper hand if Bradfield is not as good at LT as Sowell.
TE:
1-Darren Fells---has risen to the top
2-Troy Niklas---will be interesting to see him at full strength
3-John Carlson---teams needs a bounce back year from him
4-FA signing: James Casey---really like his versatility
5-Draft: Ben Koyak, Jesse James, Nick Boyle, Jeff Heuerman or Blake Bell (Day 3)
WR:
1-Larry Fitzgerald---really is the team's flex TE and could have a big year.
2-Michael Floyd---has to round out his game this year and play tougher.
3-John Brown---has to show his versatility, especially going over the middle.
4-Jaron Brown---could be a breakout year for this tough, gritty and sneaky speedy receiver
5-Draft: Tyler Lockett or Phillip Dorsett (Day 2) or Jamison Crowder, Ty Montgomery or Josh Harper (Day 3)
6-Draft: Rashad Greene or Justin Hardy (Day 2)---I think both of these slot type WRs are going to be clutch chain movers.
NT:
1-Corey Peters---his versatility is a real asset.
2-Draft: Malcom Brown or Eddie Golman (Day 1) or Xavier Williams, Tyeler Davison, Gabe Wright, Grady Jarrett or Marcus Hardison (Day 3)
3-Almeda Ta'amu---needs to re-emerge as bona fide plugger.
LDE:
1-Corey Peters---if NT emerges, he starts here.
2-Frostee Rucker---like Peters can play any of the three interior spots.
3-Ed Stinson---interesting to see how he develops
4-FA signing: Tommy Kelly---would love to keep him in the rotation.
RDE:
1-Calais Campbell---on the verge of becoming dominant at his position.
2-Frostee Rucker---excellent rotation player at this spot.
3-Josh Mauro---excellent addition to the rotation.
LOLB:
1-Matt Shaughnessy---stout versus the run
2-LaMarr Woodley---edge rusher in passing situations
3-Kareem Martin---could he be this year's Okafor?
3-FA signing: Dwight Freeney---for edge rushing rotation.
LILB:
1-Kevin Minter---time to show up in a big way.
2-Daryl Washington---time to show up, period.
3-Draft: Stephone Anthony or Denzell Perryman (Day 2) or Jordan Hicks, Jake Ryan, Mike Hull, Xzavier Dickson or Ben Heeney (Day 3)
4-Bubble: Kenny Demens
RILB:
1-Sean Weatherspoon---premier spot for his playing and leadership skills
2-Draft---Shaq Thompson or Eric Hendricks (Day 1) or Paul Dawson or Kwon Alexander (Day 2)
3-Larry Foote---if needed
4-Bubble: Glenn Carson
ROLB:
1-Akex Okafor---stepped up and now can start to thrive as starter.
2-Draft: Bud Dupree, Eli Harold, Preston Smith or Owamagbe Odighizuwa (Day 1) or Hauoli Kikaha, Danielle Hunter, Nate Orchard. Lorenzo Mauldin, Markus Golden (Day 2).
3. FA signing: Dwight Freeney or John Abraham
LCB:
1-Patrick Peterson---needs to emerge as a leader and consistent playmaker. if it were up to me, I would have him return punts in key situations, only this time with a hunger and a passion.
2-Draft: Quinten Rollins, Alex Carter, Byron Jones or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Day 2)
SS:
1-Deone Bucannon---need him to continue to develop as a big hitter, cover guy and playmaker.
2-Tony Jefferson---should see a lot of action as key nickel and dime safety.
FS:
1-Rashad Johnson---was playing nearly at a Pro Bowl level until he was dinged up late in season---could take his game to the next level this year.
2-Tyrann Mathieu---will play all over the field this year.
3-Draft: Damarious Randall (Day 3)---would be a great fit here.
RCB:
1-Tyrann Mathieu---best fundamental cover man on the roster.
2-Justin Bethel---should play a lot at RCB as the coaches move Mathieu all over the defense.
3-Draft: Josh Shaw, DJoun Smith, Ronald Darby, Doran Grant, Senquez Golson, Ladarius Gunter, Cam Thomas, Nick Marshall or Charles Gaines (Day 3).
Nickel CB:
1-Jerraud Powers---thrives in that role.
2-Tyrann Mathieu---same.
Special Teams:
1-Dave Zastudil---field position difference maker
2. Mike Leach---outstanding long snapper
3. Chandler Catanzaro---undrafted FA gem
So---if you could make 1 trade, sign 3-4 more FAs---and draft accordingly, what choices would you make?
Mine are:
Trade QB Drew Stanton for RB Fred Jackson
Sign:
QB Mike Vick
G Justin Blalock
TE James Casey
DE Tommy Kelly
Draft:
Note: I think Melvin Gordon, Cam Erving, Bud Dupree and Malcom Brown will be off the board at #24---i would select any of them if available, but seeing as they are not:
1. Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington. Adding speed to the defense is key, imo.
2. Hauoli Kikaha, OLB, Washington. Hoping he will be there---really like his quicks off the edge and his relentless style of play.
3. Ameeer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska. His feet are special and he plays tough.
4. Josh Harper, WR/KR, California. This kid is sneaky talented.
5. Damarious Randall, S, Arizona St. His vision and instincts are good.
6. Nick Marshall, CB, Auburn. Superb athlete who showed CB skill at Senior Bowl.
7. Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio St. Solid blocker.
QB:
1-Carson Palmer---two year window as starter remains.
2-Trade Drew Stanton ($3.2M) to the Bills for RB Fred Jackson ($2.7M)---add $500K of cap space.
3-Draft: Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson or Sean Mannion (Day 2)
4-FA Signing: Mike Vick---still throws a great deep ball---can start if need be and can help team prepare for Russell Wilson
5-Logan Thomas---keep developing
RB:
1-Andre Ellington---split touches with Jackson and Williams
2-Fred Jackson---tough RB who breaks tackles, had 66 receptions last year
3-Kerwynn Williams---hits the hole on a dime, runs fearlessly
4-Draft: Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley (Day 1), Tevin Coleman, T.J. Yeldon, Ameer Abdullah, Duke Johnson, or Jay Ajayi (Day 2) or Jeremy Langford, David Cobb or John Crockett (Day 3)
5-Bubble: Stepfan Taylor, Marion Grice, Robert Hughes
LT
1-Jared Veldheer---forms monster left side with Iupati
2-Draft: Cam Erving (can back up at LT if needed)
3-Bubble: Bradley Sowell
LG
1-Mike Iupati---forms monster left side with Veldheer
2-Jonathan Cooper---can slide back over if need be
3-Ted Larsen---swing G/C
4-Anthony Steen---on Larsen's heels for swing C/G spot
C
Plan A:
1-Draft: Cam Erving---imagine a trio of Iupati---Erving---Cooper.
2. A.Q. Shipley---backs up
Plan B (if Erving is off the board, which I believe he will be):
1. A.Q. Shipley---we will see why BA&HG love this kid
2. Ted Larsen---backs up and could win job in close competition. Coaches like him as the swing G/C.
RG:
1-Jonathan Cooper---time is now.
2-FA signing: Justin Blalock---make Coop earn it.
3-Anthony Steen---could wind up winning the RG spot at some point.
4-Bubble: Earl Watford (no splash to date, despite good physical traits) and Antoine McClain (massive and talented, but has had weight and conditioning issues)
RT:
1-Bobby Massie---developing well
2-Draft Cam Erving---love this guy's versatility
3-Cameron Bradfield---solid pickup earlier this off-season
4-Bradley Sowell---has to beat out Bradfield for swing tackle spot and would have the upper hand if Bradfield is not as good at LT as Sowell.
TE:
1-Darren Fells---has risen to the top
2-Troy Niklas---will be interesting to see him at full strength
3-John Carlson---teams needs a bounce back year from him
4-FA signing: James Casey---really like his versatility
5-Draft: Ben Koyak, Jesse James, Nick Boyle, Jeff Heuerman or Blake Bell (Day 3)
WR:
1-Larry Fitzgerald---really is the team's flex TE and could have a big year.
2-Michael Floyd---has to round out his game this year and play tougher.
3-John Brown---has to show his versatility, especially going over the middle.
4-Jaron Brown---could be a breakout year for this tough, gritty and sneaky speedy receiver
5-Draft: Tyler Lockett or Phillip Dorsett (Day 2) or Jamison Crowder, Ty Montgomery or Josh Harper (Day 3)
6-Draft: Rashad Greene or Justin Hardy (Day 2)---I think both of these slot type WRs are going to be clutch chain movers.
NT:
1-Corey Peters---his versatility is a real asset.
2-Draft: Malcom Brown or Eddie Golman (Day 1) or Xavier Williams, Tyeler Davison, Gabe Wright, Grady Jarrett or Marcus Hardison (Day 3)
3-Almeda Ta'amu---needs to re-emerge as bona fide plugger.
LDE:
1-Corey Peters---if NT emerges, he starts here.
2-Frostee Rucker---like Peters can play any of the three interior spots.
3-Ed Stinson---interesting to see how he develops
4-FA signing: Tommy Kelly---would love to keep him in the rotation.
RDE:
1-Calais Campbell---on the verge of becoming dominant at his position.
2-Frostee Rucker---excellent rotation player at this spot.
3-Josh Mauro---excellent addition to the rotation.
LOLB:
1-Matt Shaughnessy---stout versus the run
2-LaMarr Woodley---edge rusher in passing situations
3-Kareem Martin---could he be this year's Okafor?
3-FA signing: Dwight Freeney---for edge rushing rotation.
LILB:
1-Kevin Minter---time to show up in a big way.
2-Daryl Washington---time to show up, period.
3-Draft: Stephone Anthony or Denzell Perryman (Day 2) or Jordan Hicks, Jake Ryan, Mike Hull, Xzavier Dickson or Ben Heeney (Day 3)
4-Bubble: Kenny Demens
RILB:
1-Sean Weatherspoon---premier spot for his playing and leadership skills
2-Draft---Shaq Thompson or Eric Hendricks (Day 1) or Paul Dawson or Kwon Alexander (Day 2)
3-Larry Foote---if needed
4-Bubble: Glenn Carson
ROLB:
1-Akex Okafor---stepped up and now can start to thrive as starter.
2-Draft: Bud Dupree, Eli Harold, Preston Smith or Owamagbe Odighizuwa (Day 1) or Hauoli Kikaha, Danielle Hunter, Nate Orchard. Lorenzo Mauldin, Markus Golden (Day 2).
3. FA signing: Dwight Freeney or John Abraham
LCB:
1-Patrick Peterson---needs to emerge as a leader and consistent playmaker. if it were up to me, I would have him return punts in key situations, only this time with a hunger and a passion.
2-Draft: Quinten Rollins, Alex Carter, Byron Jones or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Day 2)
SS:
1-Deone Bucannon---need him to continue to develop as a big hitter, cover guy and playmaker.
2-Tony Jefferson---should see a lot of action as key nickel and dime safety.
FS:
1-Rashad Johnson---was playing nearly at a Pro Bowl level until he was dinged up late in season---could take his game to the next level this year.
2-Tyrann Mathieu---will play all over the field this year.
3-Draft: Damarious Randall (Day 3)---would be a great fit here.
RCB:
1-Tyrann Mathieu---best fundamental cover man on the roster.
2-Justin Bethel---should play a lot at RCB as the coaches move Mathieu all over the defense.
3-Draft: Josh Shaw, DJoun Smith, Ronald Darby, Doran Grant, Senquez Golson, Ladarius Gunter, Cam Thomas, Nick Marshall or Charles Gaines (Day 3).
Nickel CB:
1-Jerraud Powers---thrives in that role.
2-Tyrann Mathieu---same.
Special Teams:
1-Dave Zastudil---field position difference maker
2. Mike Leach---outstanding long snapper
3. Chandler Catanzaro---undrafted FA gem
So---if you could make 1 trade, sign 3-4 more FAs---and draft accordingly, what choices would you make?
Mine are:
Trade QB Drew Stanton for RB Fred Jackson
Sign:
QB Mike Vick
G Justin Blalock
TE James Casey
DE Tommy Kelly
Draft:
Note: I think Melvin Gordon, Cam Erving, Bud Dupree and Malcom Brown will be off the board at #24---i would select any of them if available, but seeing as they are not:
1. Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington. Adding speed to the defense is key, imo.
2. Hauoli Kikaha, OLB, Washington. Hoping he will be there---really like his quicks off the edge and his relentless style of play.
3. Ameeer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska. His feet are special and he plays tough.
4. Josh Harper, WR/KR, California. This kid is sneaky talented.
5. Damarious Randall, S, Arizona St. His vision and instincts are good.
6. Nick Marshall, CB, Auburn. Superb athlete who showed CB skill at Senior Bowl.
7. Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio St. Solid blocker.
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