Necessity is the Mother of Invention
by Dan Kadar
By Clark Rucker
In this weekly feature, the top three team needs of two NFL franchises will be highlighted, as will the potential draft solutions to those needs. Many of these needs may also be addressed in free agency, so the draft solutions are subject to change. This week, the spotlight will focus squarely on the needs of two NFC South foes failed to meet the lofty expectations surrounding them at the outset of the 2007 NFL season.
The New Orleans Saints were projected by many analysts and experts to be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl. After a 2006 season which saw the team rebound from worst to first in the division and make it to the NFC Championship game, the Saints looked like a lock to make the playoffs for a second consecutive year. The Carolina Panthers have been a favorite to analysts for years, as they have a great stockpile of young talent as well as veteran leadership which carried the team to the Super Bowl only 4 short years ago. Again, the team disappointed in 2007 and failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
New Orleans Saints: A tough early season schedule sent the Saints spiralling to 0-4 during which time quarterback Drew Brees struggled mightily and Deuce McCallister was lost for the remainder of the season. The team rebounded and seemed to hit its stride by midseason, but injuries to Reggie Bush coupled with a porous defense proved to be the team’s demise. With the tenth overall pick in the draft, the Saints have an opportunity to dramatically upgrade their personnel and fill its most pressing positional needs. Combine a talent upgrade with a completely healthy team in 2008, and the Saints may once again challenge for NFC supremacy.
Cornerback: The tandem of free agent acquisition Jason David and veteran Mike McKenzie were some of the weakest links on a Saints defense that was abused on a weekly basis by opposing offenses. With Jason Craft and the aging Fred Thomas as the primary backups at the position, it is clear that this position needs to be addressed in order to upgrade the entire defense. With the 10th overall pick, the team will be in a great position to draft one of the “elite” cornerback prospects in the 2008 Draft, as Aqib Talib (Kansas), Mike Jenkins (USF), or Antoine Cason (Arizona) will likely be available. Judging by the current state of the Saints secondary, one of these three would be given every opportunity to wrestle away one of the starting jobs. If the team chooses to address another position in the first round, Terrell Thomas (USC) or Chevis Jackson (LSU) would be great mid-round selections. Both players are having a stellar 2008, as both were big performers in their team’s respective bowl games and both have also played at a high level during Senior Bowl week. Two potential later-round selections that would immediate upgrade cornerback depth would be Zac Bowman (Nebraska) or Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State). Bowman was once considered a first round talent before a string of knee injuries, and with another year of recovery, he would be a huge steal. Rodgers-Cromartie is the cousin of San Diego Chargers Pro-Bowler Antonio Cromartie, and Dominique possesses the same kind of athletic gifts that have made Antonio one of the better NFL corners.
Outside Linebacker: With Scott Shanle and Scott Fujita as the incumbents at outside linebacker, the Saints have been very susceptible in coverage in the middle of the field. Both players are decent in run support, but opposing offenses have been able to exploit the Saints defense with a variety of crossing routes, slants, and seemingly every route run by a tight end. Keith Rivers (USC) and Dan Connor (Penn State) are currently the only players who merit 10th pick consideration. Rivers is as athletic as any player in college football, and both players have proven to be strong in all aspects of linebacker play. Xavier Adibi (Virginia Tech), Erin Henderson (Maryland), and local product Ali Highsmith (LSU) are all potential middle-round prospects that would provide an immediate talent upgrade at the position. While all three are on the smaller side, they posses elite speed for the position as well as a knack for the ball. There are not many late-round picks that could be starter material, but to build depth at the position and provide strength in special teams, players like Jordon Dizon (Colorado) and Phillip Wheeler (Georgia Tech) will likely be taken into consideration.
Tight End: Marques Colston, David Patten, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meacham have helped make wide receiver a position of strength on this team. What the team lacks however, outside of Colston, is a consistent threat in the middle of the field. As a result, Brees is forced to make risky throws in the face of pressure, and without a reliable bail-out target, he threw an increased number of interceptions. It is imperative then that the Saints provide Brees with a viable threat at tight end, as Billy Miller and Eric Johnson are on their last NFL legs. At pick 10, Fred Davis (USC) and Martin Rucker (Missouri) could be potential selections, but at this point, neither possess the elite skill set necessary to merit this high of a selection. Consequentially, look for the team to address the position in the middle rounds with a player like Kellen Davis (Michigan State) or Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M). Davis has had an excellent Senior Bowl week, as he has proven to be one of the better athletes in this senior class. Bennett would have best been served by returning to school for his senior year, but he possesses a size/speed combination that may make him the most dominant tight end in football in five years. Jo John Finley (Oklahoma) may be a good late round pick, as he would be a serviceable spot-starter who could also contribute on special teams. A wild card to consider in all rounds is Cornelius Ingram, who while more of a wide receiver, is a big bodied target with plenty of experience and explosiveness to be a good NFL H-back/tight end.
Carolina Panthers: NFL experts and analysts have seemingly held the Panthers out as a NFC favorite each season since their Super Bowl appearance, but each season since that time has been marred by unfulfilled expectations, injuries, and a lack of playoff success. The once feared Panther defense has lost its edge while the offense has lost the explosiveness that it was once known for. There are a number of young, talented players on the roster, but the team’s veterans are aging quickly, so it is imperative that the team make the necessary roster moves to ensure the franchise does not continue wallowing in mediocrity. Possessing the 13th overall pick in the 2008 draft will allow the team to address these needs.
Quarterback: In 2007, Jake Delhomme, David Carr, Vinny Testaverde, and Matt Moore all made starts for the Panthers. Delhomme got off to a great start, but an elbow injury forced him to undergo Tommy John-like surgery. Meanwhile, Carr, Testaverde, and Moore were all incredibly ineffective, and as a result, Steve Smith had one of the worst seasons of his career. With a talented stable of wide receivers and an aging and injury-prone Delhomme, it is important that that Panthers draft a quarterback in the 2008 draft, especially one that can be groomed to be the starting quarterback by 2009. With the 13th pick, the team seems in great position to get one of the “Big Three” quarterbacks Matt Ryan (Boston College), Brian Brohm (Louisville), and Andre Woodson (Kentucky). If the team delays addressing this position, Chad Henne (Michigan), who has had a great Senior Bowl, or Colt Brennan (Hawaii) could all be possible solutions. Brennan’s size and arm-strength have been in question recently, as has his ability to play against big-time competition (see the Sugar Bowl versus Georgia). Joe Flacco (Delaware) and Eric Ainge (Tennessee) may be available in the later rounds of the draft, and both could be groomed to take control of the team in 2010 or 2011, but it does not appear that the Panthers can be that patient.
Free Safety: In the 2006 offseason, the Panthers let Marlon McCree go, and as a result, a huge hole was left in the secondary. Chris Harris was an adequate starter in 2007 after he was acquired from the Chicago Bears, but it is clear that Deke Cooper is not the answer at free safety. With the increased emphasis on safety play in the NFL, the Panthers need a dramatic upgrade here. Kenny Phillips (Miami) is the only viable first round safety that the Panthers should consider here, and he may very well be available with the 13th pick. However, if he is already taken, the Panthers may look at possible mid-round solutions such as Jamar Adams (Michigan), Marcus Griffin (Texas), or Quentin Demps (UTEP). While all three would need some time to grow accustomed to the NFL game, each will likely be an NFL starter within two seasons. Craig Steltz (LSU) and Jamie Silva (Boston College) will likely fall in the draft due to their lack of elite athleticism, but do not be surprised if the Panthers selected one of the two and he becomes a ten year NFL starter. Steltz and Silva are ball hawks and make in impact any time they are on the field.
Defensive End: Julius Peppers was a shell of his former self in 2007, as years of constant double teams and opposing offenses scheming around him finally took their toll. His sack total dropped precipitously and he ended the season on injured reserve. Much of his struggles can be attributed to the fact that teams are no longer worried about Mike Rucker, who at 32 years old, should be relegated to the third member of a defensive end rotation. To expedite this process and to allow Peppers to once again wreck havoc, the Panthers may look to draft Vernon Gholston (Ohio State), Derrick Harvey (Florida), or Calais Campbell (Miami) with the 13th pick, each of whom would provide a pass rush threat that teams would have to account for. If the Panthers determine they have more pressing needs to be addressed with their first round pick, Quentin Groves (Auburn) and Lawrence Phillips (USC) could be great value picks in the middle-rounds. Both are incredibly experienced and both have the pass rush skills that the Panthers desperately need. Chase Ortiz (TCU) and Wallace Gillbury (Alabama) could be great late round selections that would immediately upgrade depth at the position, and with some experience, coaching, and time in the weight room, could become serviceable NFL starters.
If you have any questions or comments, please send an email to clark@newerascouting.com.