This is the third article of the team needs series covering teams picking 11 through 15. Obviously, free-agency acquisitions will make a major difference as to who teams will draft. These predictions and needs will therefore change as we acquire more information. However, many are of the thinking that it’s better to supplement with free-agency and build through the draft. Teams want to get young assets and have them develop cohesion with the team. Therefore, the draft is often more predictive of a team’s long-term confidence in a player.
For these mental exercises, I’m assuming no trades on or before draft day. As unlikely as that is, wading into that water makes everything much more complicated. All contract information comes from spotrac.com.
1.11, New York Giants – Needs: WR, TE
The Giants have their QB and RB positions secured, which leaves WR and TE to address. If they decide to extend Evan Engram, they still might want to get another TE for depth based on Engram’s injury history and inconsistent play. WR is definitely a need for the team. New York has several role players, but no true alpha at the position. If the draft falls the right way for them, there could be an excellent option at 11th overall.
1.12, San Francisco 49ers – Needs: QB, RB
It’s looking like Jimmy Garrapolo is not the answer at QB. Additionally, he will be a $26 million cap hit with a little under $3 million in dead cap. Therefore, look for the Niners to make a significant move at that position. There are a lot of teams drafting before them that are or could be QB needy, so they will need to make a move up in the draft or go after someone in free agency. Either option will need to be an aggressive move, but the Niners went to the Super Bowl with a game manager at QB.
I threw RB in the needs because it would be fun to see what San Francisco and Kyle Shanahan could do with an upgraded option at the position. Mind, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, Jr. have performed well in their roles, and Shanahan’s system seems to make anyone relevant, so I doubt they spend any serious capital on a new RB. It’s just a fun thought.
1.13, Los Angeles Chargers – Needs: TE, WR
If Los Angeles locks up Hunter Henry, that need would dwindle significantly. However, if he walks in free agency, they will need to find his replacement. The Chargers have Keenan Allen locked up, but Mike Williams is in his final year and hasn’t consistently lived up to the seventh-overall pick they used on him in 2017. Similarly to the Giants, if the teams at the top of the draft snatch up QBs, CBs, and edge rushers, they may not be able to pass up a top-tier WR at 13. Some may ask if the Chargers need another RB to pair with Austin Ekeler. I think they have adequate depth, but a depth piece or a Day Three pick isn’t out of the question.
1.14, Minnesota Vikings – Needs: QB, WR
Dalvin Cook is locked up for the future, as are Irv Smith and Kyle Rudolph. Adam Thielen signed an extension and Justin Jefferson is a stud on a rookie contract, but the Vikings don’t have a lot of depth at the WR position. So you could see a free agent move or a draft pick with decent draft capital devoted to that position.
The biggest question is Kirk Cousins at QB. He’s impossible to cut this year, and if they traded him, Minnesota would likely have to pony up some dough on top. The most likely scenario for Minnesota is that they draft a developmental-type QB, probably in the first or second round, and let him sit behind Cousins for at least a year. I’ve seen mocks where Trey Lance falls to them at 14, which would be ideal. If nothing falls into place for them, the Vikings will probably stick to revamping their defense and trying to recreate the relatively successful model they had previously.
1.15, New England Patriots – Needs: QB, WR, RB
The Patriots have a top-half draft pick for the first time in a while, and it’s easy to see why. With all the defensive players opting out, the team was ham-strung from the jump. Add in Cam Newton’s poor play down the stretch, and New England had little chance at being competitive. Assuming the defense can return to their previous form under Belichick, expect the team to address the offense early and often. RB is probably not at the top of the priorities list, but WR (as per usual) and QB definitely are.
In line with what I said about the teams slightly above them in the pecking order, the Pats are in danger of missing out on a top-tier QB prospect at their current position in the draft. If the Cam Newton experiment has scared them off of signing a free agent QB, New England may have to move up to secure their signal-caller of the future. Considering how rarely Belichick moves up in drafts, that is a long shot. The more likely outcome is that they take whoever falls to them and move forward in that direction. That of course makes you wonder if McDaniels is up to grooming a new QB into the system. There is a lot up in the air for the Patriot dynasty, but offensive skill players are certainly at the top of the needs list.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, please stay tuned for more articles similar to this one. Also, if you have a question or comment, you can find me on Twitter @DFF_sbt1030. Thanks again!
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