2015 First Round Mock Draft - After Free Agency Edition

Free Agency went and did what it does to everyone's initial mock draft, makes you throw a good chunk of it in the trash bin. Between the Saints getting rid of Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham and getting an extra first round pick, to teams filling needs I had them filling in the draft...it was time for a re-do.

2015 NFL Mock Draft v2.0

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB Florida State – The Buccaneers need a franchise quarterback, and there is no better place to get one that the draft. Winston’s off-the-field problems make you wonder if he can mentally make it in the NFL, but I think he has all the physical tools to be at the least a pretty darn good QB in the league.

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon – Normally when you’re picking this high in the draft, your biggest need is quarterback.  Reportedly, the Titans are all-in with Zach Mettenberger this season. The coaching staff is going to want to back the player currently on their roster in case something happens and they don’t draft a QB in the first round. Also, Mariota is going to be likely to sit and learn his first year coming from Oregon’s spread scheme to a pro-style scheme that Whisenhut runs in Tennessee.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kevin White, WR West Virginia – White has shot up to the number one receiver available in the draft in my mind. And while this might be a bit of a reach, the Jaguars need to give Blake Bortles some more weapons in the passing game. They signed the talented tight end Julius Thomas from Denver, but they don’t really have a dynamic weapon on the outside for Bortles to take advantage of. Lee and Robinson could eventually develop into nice receivers, but neither of them will ever be the talent that White is currently.

4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DE/DT USC – Williams falls to the Raiders, which works out great for them because they have holes on both sides of the ball. Williams can play both DE and DT, so they can move him around the line to create mismatches.  Him with Khalil Mack at linebacker looks like a good combo of havoc wreaking defenders.

5. Wahsington Redskins: Dante Flowler, DE/OLB Florida – Brian Orakpo hit free agency and is now a Titan. The Redskins could plug Fowler in at OLB and go back to what they thought they would have with Orakpo and Kerrigan before injuries happened to both players, a pass rushing duo to terrorize quarterbacks.

6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB Nebraska – The Jets filled their hole at WR by trading for Brandon Marshall. There is no quarterback worth taking at this pick. With Bowles being a defensive minded head coach, I have him taking Gregory to help the pass rush of their 3-4 defense, seeing how the pass rush has been inconsistent at best the past few years for the Jets.

7. Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, NT Washington – The Bears are moving away from the 4-3 “Tampa Two” defense that they’ve seemingly ran ages and are going with a 3-4 under new coordinator Vic Fangio. The Bears don’t have someone who can play that lynchpin nose tackle position, so they take the best NT available in Shelton, who should clog up running lanes and collapse the pocket for years as a Bear.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE/OLB Missouri – The Falcons offense SHOULD be good, their defense needs lots of work though. They need a guy who can get to the quarterback in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and most likely a new first-overall pick at quarterback in Tampa Bay. Shane Ray is the best pass rusher on the board, and the Falcons should have no second thoughts about making this pick.

9. New York Giants: Ereck Flowers, OT Miami – The Giants could use some help on the offensive line, and drafting Flowers does a lot for them. It allows Justin Pugh to move inside to guard, upgrading the interior line. It gives them a new young right tackle, and someone who can slide over to the blind side once William Beatty retires or is released due to how much he is owed on his contract. If the Giants are going to compete for the division again anytime soon, they need to keep Eli Manning’s jersey clean.

10. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Schreff, OT Iowa – Jake Long has been cut, so Greg Robinson moves over to left tackle permanently. The Rams traded oft-injured Sam Bradford away for Nick Foles, so they better protect Foles if they want anything close to his 27 TD/2 INT season of 2013.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT Stanford – The Vikings need help on the line, and even though Matt Kalil has been disappointing I don’t think the Vikings would hold that against Peat. Peat could take over left tackle duties allowing Kalil to kick over to right tackle, where he wouldn’t see as many stud pass rushers. This would help create bigger holes for Adrian Peterson (if he returns to the Vikings) and would give Teddy Bridgewater better protection to use his arsenal of receiving weapons.

12. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Brown, DT/DE Texas – The Browns were horrible against the run to end the season, and with an offense that currently doesn’t look like it’ll score many points they’ll need to be able to stop the run in a division with Le’veon Bell and an underrated Jeremy Hill. Brown can slide inside on sub packages too.

13. New Orleans Saints: Amari Cooper, WR Alabama – The Saints take a first round receiver for the second straight year, but a position that was once a strength has now become a need with Kenny Stills gone and Jimmy Graham traded to Seattle. The Saints might not throw it quite as much as they have in the past, Drew Brees is still going to sling it around and he will need reliable pass catching targets.

14. Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker, WR Louisville – The Dolphins traded Mike Wallace away to Minnesota, and acquired Kenny Stills. They don’t have a #1 receiver, so I have them now drafting Parker who could be that guy, giving Ryan Tannehill some reliable pass catchers who the Dolphins hope can help get them over the hump and into the playoffs.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Trae Waynes, CB Michigan State – The 49ers have had a rough offseason losing star inside linebacker Patrick Willis and his backup and budding rookie Chirs Borland to retirement, along with head coach Jim Harbaugh being booted. The 49ers defense has some holes, one of them being cornerback. Waynes can come in and help fill the hole of having no #1 corner, essentially locking down one side of the field. The 49ers can find inside linebacker depth in the second or third rounds.

16. Houston Texans: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia – Yeah, the Texans have Arian Foster…but he seems to never be able to last a season. The Texans are going to be a team that runs the ball a lot, and Gurley can split carries with Foster to take some of the load off of the oft-injured back. I can’t see the Texans passing on probably the most talented back in the draft, who could be good to go by the end of training camp.

17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordan, RB Wisconsin – Ryan Matthews has teased Chargers fans since being drafted. When healthy, he’s a dynamic player who adds another level of excitement to the Chargers offense, but the problem is he’s often not healthy. That’s why I have the Chargers taking Wisconsin’s workhorse running back with this selection, giving the Chargers some much needed peace of mind they haven’t had at the position in a while. He isn’t Ladanian Tomlinson in his prime, but Gordon can take pressure off of Rivers in the passing game.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: La’el Collins, OT/G LSU – The Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin away from the Eagles, taking away their huge need for a WR. They need to protect Alex Smith so he can get the ball to Maclin down the field. Reid was known for not having a problem drafting linemen in Philadelphia, so I have him taking one here to help improve the passing and running game.

19. Cleveland Browns: Vic Beasley, OLB Clemson – The Browns could use a tone setter at OLB, as they don’t currently have one on the team. Barkevious Mingo hasn’t shown much of anything since being drafted sixth overall, and Paul Kruger had a good season with 11 sacks last year, but that’s the only season he has ever had double-digit sacks so I don’t think it will be a trend. Beasley can come in and become the defensive enforcer at OLB that the Browns defense desperately needs if they want to reach the next level.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S Alabama – The Eagles need help in the defensive secondary, and here comes some reinforcements with Landon Collins. Collins isn’t the greatest in coverage, but he’s not bad and fits best as a hard hitting strong safety in the NFL, evidenced by his 103 tackles, 7 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions last season for Alabama. Collins can hit receivers/backs/tight ends coming over the middle, break up some passes, and get his hands on a couple for picks if he’s allowed to play some roaming zone coverage.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: D.J. Humphries, OT Florida – The Bengals need for a pass rushing defensive end is gone with them signing Michael Johnson back after he was cut after only one year in Tampa Bay. This allows the Bengals to draft Humphries who can come in and take over the left tackle position, allowing the 33 year old Andrew Whitworth to move inside to guard, filling a need there.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest – The Steelers FINALLY take a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft! Last year’s pass defense was just horrible. Cortez Allen was so bad against the Colts he got benched and never regained his starting job. Johnson can come in and compete with Allen and Gay for a starting corner job, the loser becoming the nickel corner. If Williams doesn’t become a starter in camp/preseason, he could get the chance as the season goes on. If Cortez Allen gets his confidence back and plays with the talent we know he has, a Johnson/Allen duo at corner could be a very good thing for future Steelers’ defenses. Johnson has the athleticism and the length to cover big receivers down the sideline.

23. Detroit Lions:  Eddie Goldman, DT/DE Florida State – The Lions lost both Suh and Fairley in free agency, making the strength of their defense more of a weakness. They traded for Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata to fill one of the two holes. Goldman can come in and start next to Ngata and be a disruptive force up the middle for the Lions, keeping this part of their defense a strength.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Maxx Williams, TE Minnesota – The Cardinals could use upgrades at a couple of positions. I think in the first round, they upgrade the tight end position with a big body tight end with natural pass catching ability in Maxx Williams, who will be a mismatch for most linebackers and defensive backs.

25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT Pittsburgh – The Panthers couldn’t block for Cam Newton at all early in the season last year. And while the offensive line gelled later in the season, they could upgrade both tackle spots and Clemmings would be a very good pick here to help ensure the health of their franchise quarterback.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Devin Smith, WR Ohio State – The Ravens lost Torrey Smith in free agency, and need to replace their deep threat. In steps another Smith, this one the deep ball target from Ohio State. Smith led all of D1 FBS football in yards per reception last year, and everyone knows how much Joe Flacco loves to chuck the ball deep and he his receiver can make a play on the ball. Smith made some catches for the Buckeyes that were eye popping, and he could do the same thing in Baltimore.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Alvin Dupree, DE Kentucky – The Cowboys pass rush in some of their biggest games/most embarrassing losses last year. Enter Dupree, a fast and physical defensive end who can come in and get the pressure the Cowboys need to defend the pass.

28. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips, NT Oklahoma – The Broncos are switching to a 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and the NT out of Oklahoma would provide the Broncos with what a 3-4 defense needs at that position…a big body who can collapse the pocket and take up at least two blockers.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Cameron Erving, C Florida State – The Colts now have a RB to help take some pressure off of superstar QB Andrew Luck in Frank Gore. They replaced Reggie Wayne with Andre Johnson. Now they need to protect Luck a little bit better. Erving can come in and play either center or guard, either way he would be an upgrade on the offensive line which is the only weakness on the Colts offense.

30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB Miami– The Packers just cut AJ Hawk, and now have a big hole in the middle of their starting linebacker corps. Perryman can come in and start right away for the Packers on defense. Perryman is a thumping linebacker who can stop the run and plays well in zone coverage against the pass. If their defense could have held a sizeable lead against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, the Packers would have been in the Super Bowl. This pick could help get them back there.

31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle Seahawks): Markus Golden, DE /OLB Missouri – The Saints got this pick in the Jimmy Graham trade, and they should use it to bolster what was one of the worst defenses in the league last season. Some of their players couldn’t tackle at all. Their pass rush was non-existent most of the time. Golden would be a big upgrade, getting pressure on quarterbacks in the division.

32. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR Arizona State – The Patriots offense isn’t anywhere near bad, but adding a receiver like Strong would be a big upgrade for Tom Brady in the receiving corps. Strong is a big, physical receiver who doesn’t have elite speed but is fast enough to get separation. His size (6’3”, 212 lbs.) also makes him a nice red zone scoring threat. 

Steelers Offseason Outlook

I have had a few weeks to think back on the Steelers season, and now it's time to look at what the offseason shall bring.

Here is a list of the 21 Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) that the Steelers have this year:

Wide Receiver (3): Plaxico Burress, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders

Running Backs (3): Jonathon Dwyer, Felix Jones, LaRod Stephens-Howling

Tight Ends (2): David Johnson, Michael Palmer

Offensive Linemen (3): Fernando Velasco, Cody Wallace, Guy Whimper

Defensive Linemen (3): Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Al Woods

Linebackers (3): Stevenson Sylvester, Jamaal Westerman, Jason Worilds

Defensive Backs (2): Will Allen, Ryan Clark

Specialists (2): Matt McBriar, Greg Warren

The Steelers also have one Exclusive Rights Free Agent in offensive lineman Eric Olsen.

I would say their number one priority in free agency is resigning Jason Worilds who led the team in sacks last season with 8 sacks. The Steelers also spent a first round pick on Jarvis Jones, and I don't think they want him to sit on the sidelines for much longer. However, this leaves the Steelers in a pickle with another outside linebacker on the roster, LaMarr Woodley. They gave him a big contract a couple years ago, so I think it's a bit of a cap hit to cut him. But he's been hurt the last few years and hasn't had double digit sacks since 2010. So if the Steelers resign Worilds, they may be cutting bait with Woodley.

Other free agents I would like to see them keep:

Jerricho Cotchery, WR - He's Hines Ward Lite...he makes a lot of catches, including the tough ones. If you hit him, he gets back up and makes a big catch. He's great out of the slot. He may not be fast, but he runs precise routes and catches the ball when it's thrown his way. He's reliable, and that's what you need in a receiver more than anything.

Jonathon Dwyer, RB - He's not going to start unless Le'Veon Bell is hurt. However he'll get you some tough yards and is a great change-of-pace backup for Bell. The Steelers cut him in training camp last year and then resigned him when they couldn't muster a running game while Bell was hurt to start the season. I think the Steelers would like to bring him back in the role he played behind Bell this year.

Fernando Velasco, OL - He played very well at center with Maurkice Pouncey getting put on IR in the first game of the year. He's be a great backup to the oft-injured Pouncey and could probably start at guard over Foster. He also played under our new offensive line coach Mike Munchack, so he would help the offensive line adjust to what Munchack wants them to do.

Guy Whimper, OL - The guy isn't the best tackle in the NFL, but he played pretty damn well last season when called upon. Even if he's just there for depth, I like him and would like to see the Steelers bring him back.

Brett Keisel, DL - I would love for them to bring The Beard back for at least one more year. He's like a coach on the field, and even if he's not a starter anymore he's still a damn good player who can help keep legs fresh in the trenches. He should never wear another uniform.

I think those are the guys the Steelers need to bring back most of all.

Now you may be wondering about first round pick Ziggy Hood. He hasn't been all that impressive. With the Steelers always being up against the cap, and Hood losing his starting job to Heyward who is a stud at DE for us, I think the Steelers let Hood test free agency. They want to see what he's offered before making an offer. I think they have a number in mind that they're willing to pay him, but they want to see if they could either get him for less...or if a team wants to overpay for him, and then get the comp pick for him instead.

The Steelers don't make splash signings in free agency. However, they need to fill some holes on defense. They haven't had a pocket collapsing, run stopping NT since Casey Hampton wasn't resigned. The NT is the lynchpin of the Steeler's 3-4 defense. We need a guy who other teams have to often double team. This way the offensive line is dealing with our three defensive linemen allowing our linebackers to make the "splash plays."

I think the Steelers might look at B.J. Raji of the Packers, Paul Soliai of the Dolphins, and maybe another guy or two. Soliai probably will be too expensive, and might end up back with the 'Phins. I think the Packers are going to let Raji test free agency. If he isn't signed in that first wave, or if he's not getting super big offers (which I don't think he will), the Steelers may kick the tires on him. He's shown that he could be that kind of NT, and maybe he just needs that change of scenery. But the Steelers aren't going to overpay for the guy.

If they don't get a NT who can start in free agenct, and they likely won't, look at the draft.

I have seen mock drafts where they take a nose tackle, wide receiver, corner, and safety at this pick.

Ike Taylor is getting old and didn't play so great last season, if he doesn't take a pay cut this year he may find himself cut. Even if they keep him, they need a corner for the future. The Steelers let Keenan Lewis walk and become a Saint, which might have happened no matter what because that's his hometown team.

It's likely the Steelers will go into the season with Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen as the starting corners. William Gay is a fourth corner at best, in my opinion. I don't think they have a future starter on the roster after Cortez, so the Steelers will be looking to upgrade this position. The Steelers have had luck developing later round corners into starters such as Taylor, Lewis, and Allen. So there's no guarantee the Steelers go this rout in the first two rounds.

I have also seen the Steelers tied to a wide receiver in some mock drafts. GM Kevin Colbert said that the Steelers need to build around Ben Roethlisberger...and it's about time they see that! Ben has wanted a tall receiver since Plaxico Burress left after his rookie season. Plax did return, but didn't play much and then got hurt. He won't be back this season.

I've seen the Steelers linked to players such as the former USC playmaker Marqise Lee, and Florida State National Championship game hero Kelvin Benjamin. Either player I think would be welcomed by Roethlisberger as a play maker in the passing game. If they don't go WR in the first round, they'll likely go there in the second.

Safety is another need. Troy Polamalu plans to play out his contract and then retire, which means he wants to play this year. He played well last season for the first time in a while because of injuries. But even if he plays and plays well all season, who's playing across from him? I don't think the Steelers want to bring back Ryan Clark who played poorly last season. I don't think they want to start Shamarko Thomas across from Polamalu because he was drafted to be the eventual replacement. They've been linked to a few safeties with some ball skills. Calvin Pryor of Louisville is one of those safeties, and not only can he hold his own in coverage the guy hits like a sledgehammer, something the Steelers covet in their defensive backfield. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is another guy who the Steelers would love if he's there.

And like I said before, the Steelers could go and get that lynchpin of the defense in nose tackle. I have seen them linked to Louis Nix of Notre Dame if he's there.

What will be the hardest thing for me to do in the coming days is work on my next blog, a full first round mock draft. I like all these players for the Steelers, and more than one should be available at 15th overall.

Well that's my offseason outlook for the Steelers! Keep an eye out for my first full first round mock draft!

Steelers lose free agents

The first week of Free Agency is in the books, and so far the Steelers are considered "losers" in my book. The reason why? The one Steelers free agent I hoped the would retain more than any other, they didn't. Rumor has it they never even made an offer. Lets look at the big players the Steelers lost.

Mike Wallace, WR/Miami Dolphins: I did not expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to keep Wallace. Last offseason they couldn't come to a long-term contract agreement with the speedy wideout and then he held out of training camp by not signing his restricted free agent tender. He wanted big dollars, more than what the Steelers could give him. Also, it's thought that he was unhappy with the fact that the Steelers gave fellow wide receiver Antonio Brown a long term deal last offseason while negotiating with Wallace. His new contract comes out to around $13M a year with the Dolphins.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB/Arizona Cardinals: Mendenhall was once the feature back for the Steelers. But then he tore his ACL at the end of the 2011 season, came back last season and looks lackluster, and ticked off the coaches and front office when he failed to show for a home game because he was upset about not being on the active roster for the game. Put that with some Twitter posts that made him look less than bright in most circles, and the writing was on the wall. I don't think the Steelers had any intent on re-signing the former first round pick.

Keenan Lewis, CB/New Orleans Saints: Losing Lewis is the reason why I feel the Steelers are losers in free agency. Lewis was young, and just had his first season as a starter where he played very well. He could have potentially become the heir to Ike Taylor as the Steelers #1 cornerback. Nobody knows who is going to replace Lewis across from Taylor. The Steelers did sign former Cardinals and Steelers cornerback William Gay. but I can't find anyone who's happy with that signing of this was intended to replace Lewis. The Steelers didn't try to re-sign him when he left for the Cardinals after the 2011-12 season. And then he had a really bad season in Arizona, so there isn't much faith in him being anywhere near as good as Lewis was last year. So I am expecting a competition between Gay, Cortez Allen, and Curtis Brown for the #2 corner spot. It's unknown how well any of those players will perform. The fact that the Steelers are rumored to not even have offered Keenan Lewis a contract tells me one of two things: they feel he isn't as good as us fans think he is, or he put his price outside of what the cap strapped Steelers could afford and they chose to not even waste their time negotiating with him.

AFC North Offseason Preview

In a few days, the NFL's Free Agency period. This weekend, player agents can negotiate contracts with teams but are not allowed to set up meetings between players and teams. So if a team decides to agree to a contract with a player, they must do so "blind." Also, any contract agreements cannot be finalized until Tuesday, when Free Agency officially begins. However, teams can sign their own pending free agents to deals.

This is also a way for teams to learn the market value for their free agent players and can then offer a contract accordingly, or choose to let a player walk because they feel that they can't pay the player an amount to keep him.

Free Agency is more than just an opportunity to sign proven players from other teams. It also shapes the NFL Draft. If you have a need at WR and sign a top guy at that position in Free Agency, then you can focus on another need in the draft.

So here is my offseason look at each team of the AFC North. I will look at their needs, their top Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA), record from last season, and where they will be drafting. I will also look at possible first round draft selections for each team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8 last season, missed playoffs)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have never been big players in Free Agency. They don't sign the huge names, other than keeping their own players when they want/can. So I do not expect them to go after any big names, other than possibly attempting to resign Mike Wallace. The free agent I think they most need to resign is Keenan Lewis, who had an excellent season in his first as a starting cornerback.

The big question mark for the Steelers this offseason is what happens with OLB James Harrison. They want to renegotiate his contract and he won't take a pay cut. Harrison is 35 years old, and has had knee and back issues the past few years that are likely to just get worse instead of better. There is a chance that the Steelers end up just cutting Harrison.

Top UFA's:
Keenan Lewis, CB
Mike Wallace, WR
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Max Starks, OT
Plaxico Burress, WR

Draft Position: 17th

First Round possibilities:
Jarvis Jones, OLB/Georgia
Manti Te'o, ILB/Notre Dame
Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas
Alec Ogletree, LB/Georgia
Eddy Lacey, RB/Alabama
Kevin Minter, ILB/LSU
Jonathon Hankins, DT/Ohio State
Jonathon Jenkins, DT/Georgia

Needs:
Outside Linebacker
Inside Linebacker
Running Back

Baltimore Ravens (10-6, won Super Bowl)
After winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens front office didn't have much time to celebrate. They had to get the team under the cap, resign free agent quarterback Joe Flacco to a long-term contract, and figure out their goals in free agency and the draft.

The Ravens locked up Flacco, and are focusing on Dannell Ellerbe over Paul Kruger. Ellerbe played as Ray Lewis' replacement when he injured his arm during the season, and the Ravens would like to keep him. Kruger had his best season ever, and is expect to sign for more money somewhere else than what the Ravens can give him, not to mention the drafted Courtney Upshaw in last year's draft so they likely feel they have a decent or better replacement for Kruger.

Top UFA's:
Paul Kruger, OLB
Dannell Ellerbe, ILB
Ed Reed, S
Cary Williams, CB

Draft Position: 32nd

First Round possibilities:
Jonathon Hankins, DT/Ohio State
Manti Te'o, ILB/Notre Dame
Jonathon Cyprien, S/Florida International
Jonathon Jenkins, DT/Georgia

Needs:
Inside Linebacker
Offensive Tackle
Safety

Cincinnati Bengals (10-6, eliminated in first round of playoffs)
This team is hard to predict, for me at least, because Mike Brown sometimes makes moves that leaves you scratching your head. He let Jonathon Joseph walk away without making any real attempt at keeping him. Mike Brown has the smallest scouting staff in the National Football League and doesn't have a general manager, nor a personnel man at his side to lean on.

The Bengals are a young team. However they will be looking to upgrade a defense that was pretty good last year and they will also be looking to add a bell cow type of running back to their offense to give their passing game some help.

Top UFA's:
Robert Geathers, DE
Pat Simms, DT
Andre Smith, OT
Rey Maualuga, LB

Draft Position: 21st

First Round possibilities:
Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas
Eddy Lacey, RB/Alabama
Xavier Rhodes, CB-S/Florida State

Needs:
Safety
Offensive Tackle
Defensive Line
Running Back

Cleveland Browns (5-11, missed playoffs)
The Cleveland Browns have made some big changes in this offseason. I honestly could have written an entire article just on them. New owner Jimmy Haslam fired the previous coaching and front office regime. New head coach Rob Chudzinski brought in Norv Turner to be the offensive coordinator. Mike Lombardi was hired as the Vice President of Player Personnel and this past week was promoted to General Manager.

Chudzinski worked with Cam Newton in Carolina the past few years, but the Browns currently have last year's starter at the position in Brandon Weeden. Weeden has the arm to make the downfield throws that are often staples in an offense ran by either Chudzinski or Turner, but he doesn't have the running ability of a Cam Newton. So the Browns might be looking to change quarterbacks, seeing how they have yet to show any type of commitment to Weeden.

The Browns also hired Ray Horton as defensive coordinator who will be running a "hybrid" 3-4/4-3 defense but I expect to see the Browns mostly in a 3-4 look.

Top UFA's:
Josh Cribbs, WR
Phil Dawson, K

Draft Position: 6th

First Round possibilities:
Ezekiel Ansah, DE-OLB/BYU
Dion Jordan, DE-OLB/Oregon
Dee Millner, CB/Alabama
Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia
Jarvis Jones, OLB/Georgia

Needs:
Outside Linebacker
Tight End
Quarterback
Inside Linebacker

And that is my preview for the AFC North's offseason. Later this week I will be positing my first mock draft for the first round.

Looking towards the 2013 season

Well, it's the day after the Super Bowl, the 2012-13 football season is officially over. And what a crappy season it was for Steelers Nation. Mike Wallace holds out of training camp and then goes on to have a rather crappy season. Ben Roethlisberger gets hurt right as the offense starts to get on a roll. We lose to the Cleveland Browns....the FREAKING BROWNS!!!!!!!!!! We miss the playoffs. The Super Bowl is a real punch to the gut...either the 49ers tie us with six Super Bowl wins or...our arch enemy, the Baltimore Ravens win it. The Ravens win it, and Ray fricking Lewis rides off into the sunset on top.

So I, for one, am glad that this season is OVER!

Now everyone is tied at 0-0. Everyone is in first place. It's time to look at the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers....and that starts with the offseason.

The Steelers have a good amount of free agents. Lets take a look at the list.

Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)
Mike Wallace, WR
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Will Allen, S
Charlie Batch, QB
Plaxico Burress, WR
Larry Foote, LB
Ramon Foster, G
Casey Hampton, DT
Brandon Johnson, LB
Juston King, LB
Byron Leftwich, QB
Doug Legursky, OL
Keenan Lewis, CB
Ryan Mundy, S
Leonard Pope, TE
Max Starks, OT
Greg Warren, LS

Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
Jonathon Dwyer, RB
Steve McLendon, DT
Issac Redman, RB
Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Stevenson Slyvester, LB

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA's)
Baron Batch, RB
DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB

Now the RFA's and ERFA's I am not worried about whatsoever. It's been years since one tendered has been signed by another team. If nobody went after Mike Wallace in free agency last year, then nobody is going after our restricted guys. Nobody on that list is going somewhere else if they get tendered by the Steelers.

Now the UFA list is one that is split into three sections: Guys I don't want back, guys I want back, and guys I want back for the right price.

Guys I Want Back

Max Starxs, OT  - Max Starks isn't an elite tackle. The Steelers know that, the fans know that, and Starks himself knows that. However he is a good tackle. And if he wants to come back, and we can make the contract work with us always being up against the salary cap, then I welcome him back with open arms. Marcus Gilbert is an injury risk and Mike Adams had an up-and-down rookie year that ended on IR. Starks would compete for a starting job and at the least be an excellent backup at both tackle positions.

Plaxico Burress, WR - Burress returned to the Steelers when wide receiver depth suffered due to some injuries. Burress accepted a lesser role in the offense. With how he left after the 2004 season, many fans didn't want him back. I feel he had to earn not only the trust of the fans, but the trust of the team. I think he earned it and would be a good third receiver on the outside, moving Sanders or Brown to the slot in three-receiver sets.

Keenan Lewis, CB - Going into last season there were a lot of questions about the starting corner spot across from Ike Taylor. Keenan Lewis plays phenomenal and honestly showed that he could be a #1 CB in the NFL. If the Steelers want to remain one of the top defenses in the NFL, they have to lock Lewis up.

Doug Legursky, OL - This guy is like the little engine that could. He's an undersized offensive lineman that can play guard and center. He knows he's not a starter, but a guy that can play either guard position and center is a valuable guy to have on the team as a backup.

Guys I Don't Want Back

Mike Wallace, WR - I was hoping Mike Wallace would have one hell of a season and truly earn the big contract that he coveted last offseason. Instead, he whined all offseason and then held out of training camp...and he's been here long enough to know that the Steelers will not negotiate with a player not in camp. Then there were times during the season that he wasn't even trying. Giving up on routes, not blocking down field, not fighting for balls...hell not even trying to knock them down so they aren't intercepted. Then, in the season finale which meant little more than pride because the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, Wallace showed his true colors....he held himself out of the game to avoid a possible injury going into free agency. That's not something that a Pittsburgh Steeler does.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Mendenhall was a first round pick who had a few good years. In the regular season finale of the 2012 season, he tore his ACL. He came back this season and just imploded. He fumbled the ball three times in a mere 51 carries. Then for the game against San Diego, when he was told he wouldn't be active for the game, he chose to no show on game day. Being deactivated isn't permission to not attend the game. I feel that he wants to be gone, and the Steelers shouldn't even offer him a contract.

Byron Leftwich, QB - Leftwich has been an injury waiting to happen. He can't even hold up for one game. He's not young, nor do I feel he understands the game well enough to be of any help to Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines. I would much rather draft someone in the third round or so and groom them to not only be the #2 QB, but possibly one day take over when Big Ben walks away from the game. Leftwich isn't worth the roster spot that he would take off.

The rest of the UFA list, I would take back at the right price. None of them would be guaranteed a starting job, and most would be just depth at various positions and play special teams.

The 2013 NFL Rookie Draft

It's now time to start really looking at the NFL draft. So here are what I feel are the teams' biggest needs, in no particular order.

Backup Quarterback - The Steelers don't have a guy who's young and can step in for a game or two if needed, nor do they have anyone that they are grooming behind Ben Roethlisberger. I think it's time to get someone, and the draft is the perfect place to do this.
Outside Linebacker - James Harrison is on the wrong side of thirty and played all last season with a bad back, not to mention he could be a cap casualty this offseason. LaMarr Woodley had hamstring issues again. I don't believe the team has the next great Steelers outside linebacker currently on the roster. Maybe they can find that guy this offseason.
Offensive Line - In the past three seasons the Steelers have taken the following offensive linemen in the first two rounds: Maurkice Pouncey (center), Marcus Gilbert (tackle), David Decastro (guard), Mike Adams (tackle). These guys should be the core of the offensive line for years to come, should turn that part of the team into the strength. However, I think we might be able to draft a better player for left guard. Foster isn't that good, in my opinion. Willie Colon can't stay healthy to save his life. And Doug Legursky is nothing more than a backup. Maybe a second round guard can be taken to put nothing but first and second round picks making holes for the run game and protecting our franchise quarterback.
Safety - Troy Polamalu is a constant injury risk. There have been rumors floating around the Twitterverse that Ryan Clark might be released this offseason, though nobody can say why. The team needs to find a young playmaker at one of the two safety positions to at least groom behind the Polamalu/Clark combo we currently have.