With the NFL Draft coming up tonight, it’s time to get excited again for the nation’s most popular sport. At this point, hope fills the air because everyone’s team, no matter how terrible, is in the hunt. With many of the major free agents signed, the draft is the last chance for many teams to fill their needs headed into training camp.
I have found four teams that are one piece away from serious Super Bowl contention headed into the draft. This is NOT for fans of teams that are elite already (New York Giants, Green Bay, Houston). This is also NOT for teams with horrible, crippling issues (Cleveland, St. Louis, Tampa Bay).
Which teams could make a huge leap with a good draft on Thursday? Let’s take a look:
Detroit Lions:
Missing Piece – Secondary
Forgive me for including the Lions here. I’ve been a fan my whole life, and we sucked until last year. The offense carried the team to 10 wins and a playoff berth last year. A quick analysis of last year’s results show one thing; the Lions need serious help on defense.
After using last year’s first round pick on Nick Fairley, the defensive line and (to a lesser extent) linebacker’s aren’t a pressing concern for this team right now. The biggest need is in the secondary. The Lions have to play Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler twice every year, and the corpses and scarecrows they currently have propped up in the secondary won’t cut it. Shoring up the defensive backfield with the best Cornerback or Safety available is the right move for my beloved Lions.
The Pick: Janoris Jenkins (and his weed dealer), CB from North Alabama
Chicago Bears:
Missing Piece – Defensive End
As much as I hate to say it (see above), the Bears were a dangerous team last year before key injuries ruined the season. With a healthy Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, and Brandon Marshall, this team has great potential on offense. They also have one of the best special teams players ever in Devin Hester. Without a few lucky (sorry, I’m still a Lions fan) injuries, this team would have been a threat to win the NFC.
The plan for the Bears, then, is to inject some youth on the defensive line. Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije were productive catalysts for one of last year’s best defenses, but they are both 32 years old. The Bears should use their first round pick to take the best Defensive Lineman available and pray for health.
The Pick: Nick Perry, DE from USC
Dallas Cowboys:
Missing Piece – Secondary
The Cowboys are one of the league’s most frustrating teams. Watching a team with this much talent cost themselves games and continually underperform is hilarious if you’re a Giants or Redskins fan but aggravating if you live in northern Texas.
On the positive side, Tony Romo is a great quarterback (despite his Lebron-like 4th quarters) and they uncovered a hidden gem in DeMarco Murray. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are potential pro bowlers as well.
The Cowboys need help on defense, specifically the Secondary. The ‘Boys took a Cornerback with their first pick last year, but they definitely need more help in that area.
The Pick: Mark Barron, SS from Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles:
Missing Piece – Defensive Line
The “Dream Team” Eagles had a rough year by fan and media standards last year. On the bright side, the offense was often fun to watch. Mike Vick and LeSean McCoy are elite talents when healthy, and locking up DeSean Jackson with a five-year contract should ease many of the concerns that affected his play last season.
The Eagles’ biggest concern lies on the defensive line. The team boasts a talented defensive backfield that should improve in its second year together. Acquiring Demarco Ryans in the offseason filled a need at Linebacker, so the Eagles should solidify the defensive line with this pick.
The Pick: Quinton Coples, DE from University of North Carolina
What do you think? Can you see these teams making a leap to the big game next year? What is your team lacking?
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Addendum: I couldn’t address every team with unique needs. Namely: the Atlanta Falcons (heart), New York Jets (competence), Baltimore Ravens (a QB not named Flacco), and Pittsburgh Steelers (a fountain of youth).
Just not sure you can draft those things. Good luck to you if these are your teams though!
Personally have a lot of love for the Lions and expect them to go far. I really don't think anything on the defensive end is going to change the fact that the Eagles can't stay healthy …Pluse I am just hating a little bit because I love my Giants!
Appreciate the Lions love *daps*. Hopefully the Madden Curse stays far away from Megatron.
Your Giants have had enough success though, it's our turn!
Good post. There is so much D-Line depth in this draft I wouldn't be shocked to see Bears trade down to acquire an extra second/third round pick. There is very little difference in grades from projected top-10 guys like Ingram,Cox to projected 2nd rd guys like Bruce Irvin, Jerel Worthy and Andre Branch.
Before I comment, don't you ever refer to Tony Romo as a great QB ever again.
LOL!
I meeeeeean the numbers are there. I can think of probably 15 teams who'd take him (no longer including Indy or Washington).
I'll be honest, the Bears and the Lions should trade their picks and wait for next year since they're not in a position to have those players fall in the draft and there's better outlooks next year. I agree with the needs here though. But those are needs for just about everybody.
You made one big mistake and here's where.. (in addition to calling Romo "great")
Detroit and Chicago would be so much better if they put some effort into their O-line. There's going to be a ton of talent in this draft in the middle of the first round, they should hop down on that.
Wait so the idea to get better next season is to not take anybody?!?! Really? I'm assuming I misunderstood that comment. Who is football or any sport has the job security to "just wait til next year" except of course MJ's Bobcats..
The Patriots do it every year. They trade their first round pick and get more picks in the latter rounds because they really don't foresee any talent worth grabbing. I don't mean don't take anyone in the whole draft, just don't waste a pick in the first round when you can trade down and use it when you really need it.
I see OL as one of those "you can always get better" areas. Stafford threw for 5,000 last year, and Cutler was good as well (he'll be much better with Brandon Marshall). I think they can succeed with what they have on the o-line though.
If Matt Kalil were available to either team, I'd say get him for sure.
And AD, thanks for being AD, lol.
Matt Stafford is the based god. He would be a lot better and the running game would open up a lot for y'all if you had a better OL. Both of those QBs have injuries because they always end up with their face in the dirt.
Damn right Stafford is the based god. #FratBoySwag on one hunnit-thousand-trillion.
For what it's worth, ProFootballTalk is reporting that Lions are close to trading up for the South Carolina DB named Stephon Gilmore. I hope they can pull this off and shore up the o-line with later picks.
i like your picks, especially for the Lions, they get that secondary taken care of in the draft, they're gonna be a PROBLEM in the NFC.
as a Jet fan, whatever our problems are, the draft ain't gonna solve it, lol.
looking back at the first round you landed all the needs, but you couldn't factor all the player trades into your picks. Who knew the Cowgirls would trade a shot at Peter Konz for a CB who was never the best corner back on his team… word to the honey badger.
My recent post BN – Eastern Conference: First Round Playoff Predictions