NFL Draft Guide Part 2: NFC

 

 

            Yesterday, we took a look at the team needs heading into this year’s draft for the AFC. But there are still many more intriguing to storylines that come with the teams in the NFC. I have gone division-by-division, listing out what I think each team should do. This is analytics-based, so we use the money ball ideology. Here are the keys to each team having a successful NFL draft.

 

NFC North

Chicago Bears- We start our run through the NFC with the most personal one on this list. The Chicago Bears elected to pull the plug on Mitchell Trubisky. Now the team’s 102 (and counting) year search for stability at the quarterback position recommences. Quarterback seems obvious here. However, the Bears need to take a look at the offensive line. When healthy, the unit is a good one. Unfortunately, they have struggled to remain on the field and the lack of depth at the position has hurt the Bears. The team also released Kyle Fuller at cornerback, creating a vacancy. Jaylen Johnson did very well in his rookie season, now the Bears will need to pair him with another a solid corner like Fuller. The pressure has increased drastically along the Lakefront, Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace need to get this draft right.

Green Bay Packers- Green Bay made the bold decision last year by spending their first-round pick on Utah State’s Jordan Love. Bold, because now another viable option was added to the quarterback room with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers responded though, indicating that Love will have to wait a while for the starting job. Green Bay’s defense showed some improvement in 2020. Yet, I think that is where their draft capital should be spent. I would look for the Packer to select an insider linebacker. They have struggled in that area since Blake Martinez left for the Giants, so look for them to take a look in that area.

Minnesota Vikings- Minnesota could not recover from their slow start last season. Plenty of questions were asked about Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback, but he did much better later in the season. Of course, he has the help of running back Dalvin Cook, wide receiver Adam Thielen and breakout rookie Justin Jefferson. But in 2021 he will no longer be able to call on dependable tight end Kyle Rudolph. The team made the decision to part ways with Rudolph and there is where General Manager Rick Spielman should look in my opinion. The Vikings also saw an uncharacteristically down year defensively. Look for them to bolster the pass rush and defensive line in the draft.

Detroit Lions- The Lions have decided to reshuffle things. Except this time, it is a complete change. Matt Patricia was let go as head coach, Kenny Golladay signed with the Giants and long-time franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford was traded to the Rams as a mutual decision. However, I think the move is a good one for Detroit as I personally see the talent in Jared Goff. Now they need to give him some support. They should re-load their receiving corps and upgrade their defensive front seven. Lions’ brass has shown a commitment to correct the areas where they have gone wrong so many times before, making this a very interesting selection.

 

NFC East

New York Giants- The Giants still have faith in Daniel Jones. He has flashed potential but, ultimately, lacked the consistency required. I still give him the benefit of the doubt though. I think the Giants need to focus on adding weapons around. They took a good step forward with the addition of Kenny Golladay. I would not be surprised though, to see the Giants add another receiver to the mix. Tight end could also be a viable option as they have not gotten enough consistency out of Evan Engram. Dave Gettleman may also be wise to look at improving the offensive line. I believe that this draft is critical for Gettleman.

Philadelphia Eagles- This offseason they Eagles bid farewell to their Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson. Nick Sirianni arrives from Indianapolis, but the Eagles problems are not over just yet. While I do not believe this should be the case, General Manager Howie Roseman may be on the hot seat in Philly. The team parted ways with former starting quarterback Carson Wentz who now finds himself in Indianapolis, but the Eagles believe they found their quarterback, of the future in Jalen Hurts. Now they have to give him the support necessary to develop. The Eagles need upgrades at the wide receiver spot – something they should have done last year. I could also see them adding to their linebacking corps as they were 15^th against the pass but 23^rd against the run. This is a huge draft for the Eagles as it has become clear that the pressure is mounting.

Dallas Cowboys- The first year of the Mike McCarthy era did not go well at Jerry World. It is fair to say that the Cowboys probably would have had a better year had it not have been for the season-ending injury to Dak Prescott and all of the quarterback struggles that ensued. But Prescott is expected to be back for this season, making it important for Dallas to re-solidify a once dominant offensive line. However, I think that the Cowboys should focus on the defense. They were 31^st in stopping the run. I think the Cowboys need to address the situation with their linebackers. Both Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee have struggles with injuries and Fort Wayne native Jaylon Smith had a tough season this past year. I could see the Cowboys looking to bolster that position in this draft.  

Washington Football Team- While the NFC East was awful in 2020, it was a surprise to see Washington win the division and reach the playoffs. It was a peasant surprise that their run to the postseason was led by Ron Rivera and Alex Smith. But the team parted ways with Smith in the offseason and kept Taylor Heinicke. They also brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, I do not believe that Washington is locking either of those two in as the long-term solution. Two years ago, they spent their first-round pick on Dwayne Haskins. Haskins is now gone as well, so I believe that at some point in the early rounds Washington should consider selecting a quarterback. I also think that adding help to the offensive line and the wide receiver group should help a team whose defense was terrific in 2020.

 

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- This was undoubtedly the most difficult team to find needs for. Tom Brady took a new team to the Super Bowl and won it in their home stadium. Bruce Arians’ team returns most of their starters from a season ago, further complicating my job here. But as always, there is room for improvement. The primary focus for Tampa Bay should be in the secondary. Even though their defensive backfield got better as the season and postseason went along, they still ranked last in defending the pass. I see that as their primary weakness, but with a full offseason to work with this time, I do not see the Buccaneers slowing down this year.

Atlanta Falcons- If a single franchise in all of sports has ever been completely changed by one event it is the Falcons. This team has never recovered from their blown 28-3 lead in Super Bowl 51. Mid-season they made the decision to fire head coach Dan Quinn and they also let go of long-time General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. Arthur Smith is their new head coach, arriving from the Titans. Smith has some tough decision to make though. The biggest one centers around Matt Ryan. While it is difficult to put the team’s shortcomings squarely on him, Ryan is not getting any younger and the fact remains that this is a strong quarterback draft class. I think that this would be a good opportunity for Atlanta to pick up a young quarterback with the intention of him being the future of the franchise, but he will not be expected to play right away. I also think that the Falcons should look to upgrade their pass rush. It does appear as though the Super Bowl window has probably closed for the Falcons and now it may be time for them to look to the future.

Carolina Panthers- The Panthers brought in Teddy Bridgewater with the hope that he was ready to be a franchise quarterback again. However, things did not work out and they acquired Sam Darnold via trade with the Jets. Interestingly enough, GM Scott Fitterer has publicly suggested that they may still select a quarterback, implying that the Panthers are not completely sold on either Bridgewater or Darnold. So, that is one way that the Panthers could go. I also think that after the departures in recent season of key veterans on both lines, they could look to improve their offensive and defensive line.  

New Orleans Saints- For the first time in a very long time, the Saints face a decision regarding the quarterback position. Future Hall of Famer Drew Brees has decided to retire, leaving Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill to lead the show. However, I think that there are concerns regarding both of these quarterbacks. Hill is the older quarterback but does not have nearly the same starting QB experience that Winston has. But in his time with Tampa Bay Jameis Winston had well-documented struggles protecting the football. This, to me, shows that the Saints may not be wrong to look at the quarterbacks in this draft. I also think New Orleans could add another receiver to go along with what is a pretty talented group. They could also benefit from selecting a tight end as well.

 

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams- The Rams made an offseason splash by trading former number one overall pick Jared Goff to Detroit, in exchange for another former number overall pick in Matthew Stafford. Stafford has the experience and talent to lead an already talented Rams offense. Their defense, however, was their calling card a season ago. They were the best defense in defending the pass and they were third in stopping the run. That would imply that the Rams will likely focus their draft on adding the last few pieces to their offense. Offensive line would seem like the place to go. However, they could add another running that could compliment Cam Akers in that area.

Arizona Cardinals- Arizona had a golden opportunity to make the playoffs a year ago, but late-season losses to division rivals San Francisco and the Los Angeles Rams meant that it was Chicago who took the last playoff spot in the NFC. But Arizona made a big offseason move by signing J.J. Watt and they also made nice move at running back by bringing in James Conner. The Cardinals look set to compete this year. They can further improve their roster through the draft. There have been rumors that Larry Fitzgerald may still retire this offseason, so I think the Cardinals should look at adding to the receiving corps. Adding a tight end could also be a good addition and could further help Kyler Murray. The Cardinals are a team that could use this draft to make themselves serious contenders in the NFC.

Seattle Seahawks- Russell Wilson remains as the Seahawks’ starting quarterback. Trade negotiations for him never generated the type of offer that Seattle was looking for. Now it is time for the Seahawks to find solutions to the problems that reportedly have Wilson concerned. For years, they have desperately needed to address their offensive line. I do not think the Seahawks should have their priorities set anywhere else but up front. Drafting a tight end could also help in the blocking department and that player could give Wilson another threat. Drafting a tight end would also make sense after the retirement of Greg Olsen earlier this offseason.

San Francisco 49ers- We wrap things up with a look at the NFC Champions from two season ago, the 49ers. While 2020 was a weird year for everybody, San Francisco had to endure a little bit more. Local restrictions imposed during the season meant that the 49ers had to leave and finish out the rest of the season in Arizona. San Francisco was hit hard by injuries especially to star players such as George Kittle and Jimmy Garoppolo. The majority of the question surround Jimmy G. The 49ers traded up earlier this offseason putting them in prime position to select a quarterback this year. It would be tough to see them going any other way. I think the 49ers ultimately will draft a QB and then will spend the rest of their draft finding the pieces to support whomever that may be. I think that adding further help at the wide receiver and running back positions would be a good way for General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan to go in this year’s draft. I believe that San Francisco needs a solid draft to get themselves completely back on track in pursuit of the Super Bowl title that came so close to capturing two years ago.