NFL Trade Rumors: Fixing the Most Glaring Weaknesses of All 32 NFL Teams
So, the bosses want me to tap into my inner-GM again. This ought to be fun.
My mission: take the most glaring weakness with each NFL team, and find someone to fill that need through a trade. A huge task, but it's achievable.
Two things make this difficult. First, at some positions there's not one clear-cut, best person to choose. It's possible to pick more than one player, and it would work. San Francisco needs a quarterback, for instance. Do they get one through the draft, or go after Kevin Kolb, Mark Bulger or Caleb Hanie?
Another challenge is thatย some teams need help in numerous places. Take Detroit. The Lions could certainly use an outside linebacker, cornerback, left and right tackle, center, strong safety and maybe another running back.ย What would you go with? I think you could get the first three knocked out in the draft. Like I've said before, I think you should hit the draft hard to address those needs and then fill in the gaps via free agency.
Let's attack this. Here's a look at each team, and who could help them:
Arizona
1 of 32
Biggest need: Quarterback
If I'm the Cardinals, Kevin Kolb is my main target, but only if the Eagles don't ask for a king's ransom. If they ask for a second round pick or more this year, I would pass and wish them well. If they can get Kolb, though, that would then free you up to address another need with your first pick in the draft.
Atlanta
2 of 32
Biggest need: Cornerback
It just hit me the other day when I was doing another story - The Falcons should make a serious push for former Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Arthur Blank has the deep pockets, and Aaron Rodgers exposed their weak secondary in this year's playoff loss. Get Nnamdi, and I'd say the Falcons could take that next step to being serious contenders in 2011.
Baltimore
3 of 32
Biggest need: Wide receiver
Imagine if Anquan Boldin got some help from Chargers' wide receiver Vincent Jackson. I'd go with Sidney Rice here (and keep an eye on Carolina's Steve Smith, too), but Jackson would be an upgrade from Derrick Mason, who had 802 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last year.ย
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Buffalo
4 of 32
Biggest need: Defensive line
The Bills are quite a toss-up, because they have the third pick in the draft and could do a number of things, from landing Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers to Marcell Dareus from Alabama or LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. Of course, they could give Ryan Fitzpatrick a big-time target and nab Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green.
My bet: They go after Dareus in the draft, get another one of the many talented defensive ends in the second round and grab Shaun Ellis from the Jets. Ellis, who turns 34 this year, finished last season with 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Carolina
5 of 32
Biggest need: Wide receiver
Unless Ron Rivera and his new staff lose their mind, you've got to figure they'll go after Nick Fairley with the first pick in the draft. They could also land a defensive end (another thing they need), but in free agency, I'd look into the possibility of getting Santana Moss from Washington.
Jimmy Clausen needs more reliable options to throw to, and Moss could also influence Steve Smith to stay with the team.
Chicago
6 of 32
Biggest need: Wide receiver
Let's go ahead and assume GM Jerry Angelo addresses the woeful offensive line in the draft. That still leaves the secondary and wide receiver as major issues.
From what I've read, it doesn't sound like Angelo's going to throw around big bucks like he did with Julius Peppers. In that case, I think he should go after New York wide receiver Steve Smith, or Mark Clayton from St. Louis.
Cincinnati
7 of 32
Biggest need: Running back
The Bengals didn't use the franchise tag, which means running back Cedric Benson is an unrestricted free agent. With Jay Gruden there now as the new offensive coordinator, and more emphasis coming on the run, it's likely that they re-sign Benson and give him some help by landing either Darren Sproles or Green Bay's Brandon Jackson.
If Ryan Grant comes back healthy in Green Bay, that would take away from Jackson's carries. In Cincinnati he can be a complement to Benson.
Cleveland
8 of 32
Biggest need: Defensive line
If I were running the Browns and A.J. Green is there at No.6 in the draft, this is a no-brainer. That still leaves the defensive line as a major weakness, and you can grab another defensive end in the draft (a major strength of this draft). Cleveland needs help, since Kenyon Coleman's contract was terminated and Brian Schaefering had 31 tackles last year.
I'd make a run for New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who would be an upgrade.
Dallas
9 of 32
Biggest need: Secondary
I said it before and will stand by it: Jerry Jones should go hard after Nnamdi Asomugha. If they aren't major players in this, Cowboys fights will flip out, and rightfully so. If they come up short, then they should take a run at Antonio Cromartie or Drayton Florence from Buffalo.
Keep this in mind too, Cowboys fans: Oakland just gave cornerback Stanford Routt a three-year, $31.5 million deal. That's going to make it hard for Oakland to keep Asomugha.
Denver
10 of 32
Biggest need: Defensive line
Now that the Broncos are going to keep Champ Bailey, that solves the cornerback issues. But head coach John Fox should see if he can grab Dallas' Stephen Bowen or Remi Ayodele from New Orleans. Both are decent players and would be better than what they've tried to pass off on that line last year.
Detroit
11 of 32
Biggest need: Outside linebacker
If I'm a betting man, it looks like the Lions will grab Colorado offensive lineman Nate Solder with their first pick, then go after a cornerback in the draft. But when it comes to linebackers, they would be wise to go after someone like Giants linebacker Keith Bulluck (31 tackles, two interceptions).ย
Green Bay
12 of 32
Biggest need: Offensive line/Defensive line
The Super Bowl champs are stocked and shouldn't lose many of their key players.It doesn't seem like any major players will hit free agency. GM Ted Thompson should hit the draft hard and stock up on depth on either side of the line. It can't hurt.
If he's still there, I'd go with Joseph Barksdale from LSU or someone like Ohio State's Cameron Heyward.ย
Houston
13 of 32
Biggest need: Secondary
When you've got the worst secondary in the NFL, almost anybody would be an upgrade. I would think the Texans could be in the hunt for Antonio Cromartie, who teamed with Darrelle Revis to give the Jets one of the league's toughest cornerback tandems last year.
Indianapolis
14 of 32
Biggest need: Offensive line
Peyton Manning needs more pass protection, and I'd bet they grab a player to do just that in the draft. But in the mean time, they would also be wise to go after Washington's Jammal Brown, who's played both right and left tackle.
Jacksonville
15 of 32
Biggest need: Secondary
Rashean Mathis isn't exactly an elite level corner. Jacksonville should take a shot at Cincinnati's Johnathan Joseph, who wasn't franchised. Last year, Joseph finished with 42 tackles and three interceptions.
Kansas City
16 of 32
Biggest need: Wide receiver
The Chiefs have to give Matt Cassel someone opposite Dwayne Bowe. I still think they should go after Titus Young from Boise State in the draft, but how about adding Brad Smith from the New York Jets? He would give the Chiefs a versatile receiver, who could also be used as a passer and as a dangerous special teams man.
Miami
17 of 32
Biggest need: Running back
Sorry, but Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams don't strike fear into opponents anymore. The Dolphins would be smart to make a run at Carolina's DeAngelo Williams, then possibly grab Mark Ingram in the first round.
The team is sticking with Chad Henne (which confounds me), but at least this would upgrade the backfield.
Minnesota
18 of 32
Biggest need: Quarterback
Is it just me, or could you see Donovan McNabb winding up in Minnesota, and the team drafting a franchise quarterback in the second round?
The Vikings have needs at outside linebacker, safety, cornerback and on the offensive line. With Brett Favre now gone, though, this is the most glaring weakness to address.
New England
19 of 32
Biggest need: Running back
The Patriots are brilliant at filling holes, so I'm not worried about them. They could potentially lose Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor; so why not shift BenJarvus Green-Ellis to a No. 2 option, and then go after DeAngelo Williams?
Those two, together with Danny Woodhead, would make that ground game incredible.
New Orleans
20 of 32
Biggest need: Defensive line
The Saints need to do everything they can to bulk up their line, both in the draft and free agency. I hope they will make a push for Green Bay defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who said he's "99 percent sure" he won't return to the Packers.
New York Giants
21 of 32
Biggest need: Wide receiver
It's hard so say what the Giants' biggest need is because the Giants have a ton of free agents, and it will be quite a challenge to see who stays and who goes. I'd love to see the Giants be big players in free agency and go after a Sidney Rice or a Steve Smith in Carolina.
Minnesota is hoping to keep Rice, and nothing's for sure with Smith.ย
New York Jets
22 of 32
Biggest need: Cornerback
The Jets are one of those teams with very few holes. Shaun Ellis may go, and they may lose Antonio Cromartie. I think Rex Ryan would be smart to go after Johnathan Joseph, or go for Carlos Rogers from Washington if they decide to let him go.
Oakland
23 of 32
Biggest need: Stand pat
Here's the facts - Al Davis is spending money like it's growing on trees. He's set to give defensive tackle John Henderson a two-year, $8 million deal. They franchised linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and re-signed running back Rock Cartwright.
Raider fans are an odd bunch. They'll probably cuss me out just for this, and still find it clever and funny. Of course in their fantasy land, they'll tell you their team will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy next year. Right. I've got a date with a Victoria's Secret model next weekend, too.ย
Philadelphia
24 of 32
Biggest need: Offensive line
The Eagles' pass protection is dreadful. Wonder what would happen if they tried to go for Dallas left tackle Doug Free? The Cowboys want to keep him, but haven't franchised him yet, either. How much venom would that create in this rivalry if the Eagles moved quick and threw a fat contract at him?
Pittsburgh
25 of 32
Biggest need: Defensive line
There's some wear on these tires, and the Steelers need to get younger throughout their defense. Team executives have said they don't plan to be major players in free agency, so expect them to put more emphasis on the draft.
It's heavy on defensive ends, too. Anyone think they might be interested in Oregon State's Stephen Paea or Allen Bailey from Miami? Another possibility: take a gamble and go after big Marvin Austin from North Carolina.
Saint Louis
26 of 32
Biggest need: Running back
It would be good to provide Steven Jackson with a complementary back. I'd say it would be a smart gamble to go after Ronnie Brown, or someone like Brandon Jackson, who wouldn't have to worry about being the man.ย
San Francisco
27 of 32
Biggest need: Quarterback
I would hope Jim Harbaugh goes after a decent stop-gap this year. I'm a believer in the theory he'll be hoping to land his boy Andrew Luck next year, but Mark Bulger could be an adequate fill-in. Or perhaps they take a chance on Rex Grossman, who showed he wasn't dreadful this year in Washington (crazy to think we'd be saying that with Donovan McNabb on the same roster, huh?).
San Diego
28 of 32
Biggest need: Wide receiver
If the Chargers lose Vincent Jackson, I wonder if they would go after Sidney Rice, or make a run at a second-level player like Donte Stallworth orย Ben Obomanu?
Seattle
29 of 32
Biggest need: Quarterback
The team seems focused on re-signing Matt Hasselbeck. Wise move. I wouldn't bank on Charlie Whitehurst just yet. They should let him keep getting snaps, and see what he's got. In the mean time, it would be smart to draft a quarterback in the second or third rounds, and fix that secondary as well.
Tampa Bay
30 of 32
Biggest need: Linebacker
Whether it's strongside or inside linebacker, the Bucs could address this position. Barrett Rudd wasn't franchised, and I could see them going after Mike Vrabel or Omar Gaither from Philadelphia. Both would also provide a solid veteran presence on the team as well.
Tennessee
31 of 32
Biggest need: Quarterback
The Titans need to do something now that Vince Young is gone. One possibility: go after Green Bay backup Matt Flynn, then grab a franchise quarterback in the draft.
Washington
32 of 32
Biggest need: Running back
The Redskins have plenty of needs, including quarterback. Their rushing attack was among the worst in the NFL last year. They could improve it slightly by signing Pierre Thomas from New Orleans, or going after Ronnie Brown or Le'Ron McClain from Baltimore.
Mike Shanahan likes to stockpile backs, and Clinton Portis is like a china doll now. Might as well get some insurance.
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