This is the fourth article of the team needs series covering teams picking 16 through 20. 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.
1.16, Arizona Cardinals – Needs: RB, TE, WR
Despite their relatively strong year (compared to the past few), the Cardinals have a lot of needs. QB is locked up, but pretty much every other skill position is under question. Kenyan Drake is a free agent, and Chase Edmonds is an OK number two at best. Dan Arnold is not the future. The wide receiver room looks stacked at first glance, but Larry Fitzgerald is retiring soon and Andy Isabella has not lived up to his second-round draft capital. If things fall right, the Cards could be looking at a top-end WR or Kyle Pitts. But most likely they are drafting defense or offensive line early and waiting for value at the skill positions to fall.
1.17, Las Vegas Raiders – Needs: TE, QB
Another year, another disappointment for the Las Vegas Grudens. They’ve spent draft capital on RB and WR, and they have one of the best tight ends in the game. Their defense is putrid, so they will probably focus on that side of the ball. However, if they aren’t convinced that Derek Carr can get the job done, they may make a move at that position. Many people have speculated Carson Wentz and Matthew Stafford to places like San Francisco and New England, but why not Las Vegas to be a stop-gap for a developmental QB the Raiders draft in the first or second?
As for TE, Darren Waller is amazing at the position, but they will need someone else, and I’m pretty sure Jason Witten isn’t the answer. Foster Moreau could fill that role, but adding someone on Day Three of the draft to supplement the position seems likely.
1.18, Miami Dolphins – Needs: Check out my article on the first five picks here.
1.19, Washington Football Team – Needs: QB, TE, WR
The Football Team made it to the postseason for the first time in five years on the back of their defense. However, their lack-luster offense couldn’t carry them any farther. On the plus side, they made the playoffs. On the downside, they probably aren’t in a position to draft a top-tier or even second-tier QB. Dwayne Haskins was cut, and Alex Smith can only do so much. Plus, he started to show that the leg that was surgically repaired is still not 100%. If the franchise feels like they’re a QB and some other offensive pieces away, they could aggressively attack free agency and hope that other options slide to them. Or, they could make a move up the draft board to get a new guy under center. Washington has been known to do both.
Terry McLaurin looks like a stud, but that’s about it for WRs. With the depth of this receiver class, they could get a good piece on Day Two. Logan Thomas performed well this year but still needs another TE to pair with the former QB.
1.20, Chicago Bears – Needs: QB, WR
The central question is: did Mitchell Trubisky do enough to keep his job in Chicago? The general consensus is no, but the Bears may not be in a position to move on from him. Nick Foles’s albatross contract makes him impossible to cut, but they could try to trade him as the Jags did. Unless they can work some magic, the Bears are in trouble at the most important position in football. It will be interesting to see what happens there.
Allen Robinson is a free agent and Anthony Miller is on the final deal of his rookie contract. So Chicago will need to address the WR position as well as QB. Again, the free-agent class is great, but their cap situation isn’t unless they can make some creative moves. If they miss out on a QB in the first round, they may use the 20th-overall pick on a WR. At the very least, look for a pick at that position on Day Two.
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!
Previous Articles: Picks 1 – 5, Picks 6 – 10, Picks 11 – 15
