Running back (5/5): A highly publicized position of need. Emmitt Smith long and distinguished NFL career has finally concluded. Smith’s time with the Cardinals had become something of a carnival sideshow, as everyone but Emmitt realized very early that he no longer possessed the skillset that had made him one of the premier backs of his time with the Dallas Cowboys. He did close off on a relatively high note with the Cardinals, however, posting 9 touchdowns in 2004. Another former Cowboy, Troy Hambrick rushed for 283 yards last season, but should not be considered starting material. Marcel Shipp looked to be the answer at this position of couple of seasons ago, but his career is now stuck in a quagmire of injury. Josh Scoby and Larry Croom round out the depth chart. They combine to do an effective job returning kicks. Arizona is still in talks to acquire Travis Henry from the Buffalo Bills for L.J. Shelton. If this deal fails to go through, the Cardinals will likely be forced to exercise either a first or a second round selection on a running back.
Cornerback (4/5): The Cards currently have only 3 true corners on the roster. Former starter Duane Starks was dealt to the Patriots for a third round selection, and nickel back Renaldo Hill is a free agent whom the Cards have not made a serious effort to resign. This leaves David Macklin, a serviceable corner who pulled down 4 interceptions last season, as the only known commodity on the depth chart. Alongside Macklin are unknowns Tyrone Sanders and Rhett Nelson, both former undrafted free agents. This need must be addressed early in the draft, as the NFC West features offences with a heavy passing-orientation in Seattle and St. Louis.
Middle linebacker (4/5): The Cardinals surrendered a glaring average of 132 yards per game on the ground last season. Some of the blame can no doubt be placed on a young and maturing defensive line. But the Cardinals have not actively pursued resigning Ronald McKinnon, a sure sign that they attribute at least part of their run-stopping deficiencies to poor linebacker play. Orlando Huff was signed as an unrestricted free agent from Seattle, and will get the first shot at replacing McKinnon. Behind Huff is Gerald Hayes, a plugger who needs to show more consistency. Also on the roster is Leon Joe, a special teamer cut by Chicago last season. There is a prevalent school of thought that says a team should never spend for a middle linebacker, given the fact that they are only used on first and second downs. But the comeback performance of Jeremiah Trotter last season in Philadelphia served notice that a quality run-stopping MLB is still an integral part of a defense.
Other needs: Tight end, defensive tackle, quarterback.
Defensive end (4/5): In recent days, this has become a more high profile need. Leonard Little has had alcohol related legal problems. This is not the first incident for Little, and one is left to wonder whether his onfield production offsets his propensity for off the field indiscretions. And Little’s sack total regressed last season, falling to from an average of 13 for the previous three seasons to 7. His replacement is Tyoka Jackson, a good situational defender who posted 4 sacks last season. The greater need is on the right-hand side, where Bryce Fisher left for Seattle. Fisher surprised many last season by posting 8.5 sacks and outperforming Little. Either Tony Hargrove, who had an encouraging rookie season despite generating only 1 sack, or recently signed veteran Jay Williams, will replace him. This year’s defensive end class is deep, with players such as David Pollack, Dan Cody, Matt Roth, or hybrid defender Demarcus Ware likely still available when the Rams select.
Right tackle (4/5): At this time last season, Kyle Turley appeared to the long-term answer at this unstable position. But then Turley was injured and a bizarre, drawn-out soap opera began that culminated in Turley threatening bodily harm against Head Coach Mike Martz. Strangely, the Rams have nevertheless retained Turley on the roster. Scott Tercero is the best option to start, with Grant Williams being able to substitute in case of emergency or ineffectiveness. But the Rams should draft someone with real potential to solidify this position for the next few years. And given that they Rams still call a plethora of long-developing pass routes, right tackle is not a position where the Rams can afford to keep applying band-aids.
Free safety (4/5): The current plan is to move Pisa Tinoisamoa from weakside linebacker to strong safety and slide former SS Adam Archuleta over to free safety. While this move might look good on paper, there is considerable doubt whether Archuleta has the range to play free safety. A former college linebacker, he recorded 0 interceptions and only three passes defensed last season, and has long been seen as only an “in the box” run supporter. Even if he is effective at free safety, the Rams have no depth behind him. The only other FS currently on the roster is Michael Stone, a low-profile free agent signing from Arizona. Antuan Edwards, Zack Bronson, and Aeneas Williams are all unsigned free agents.
Other needs: Defensive tackle, cornerback, tight end.
San Francisco 49ers:
Quarterback (5/5): It all starts here, with the 49ers being first on the clock for the 2005 draft. This is unquestionably the most serious need on any team going into draft day. The 49ers will have the chance to select between two highly gifted quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers of California and Alex Smith of Utah. Prevailing opinion has them more enamoured with Rodgers than with Smith, but rumours swirl that the 49ers might target Braylon Edwards number 1 overall (see below). If they choose to pass on either of the quarterbacks or deal out to accumulate picks, then one can assume they will draft a second-tier prospect in one of the subsequent rounds. Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey still have lingering injury question marks attached to them. Of the two, Rattay has shown the most promise in limited action, mainly because Dorsey’s much-maligned arm is not up to NFL standards. Cody Pickett is the third-stringer. It is notable that the three 49er quarterbacks were all 7th round selection. This is franchise with a rich quarterbacking tradition, and head coach Mike Nolan can make a statement by drafting a real heir to this legacy with the first overall pick.
Wide Receiver (5/5): Another critical position of need. So critical in fact, that some believe San Francisco will pass on either of the quarterbacks to draft blue-chipper Braylon Edwards. There is also speculation that the 49ers could be close to acquiring David Boston, a major talent with significant question marks. This position yielded very little production in 2004, primarily because of a dearth of playmakers. Tight end Eric Johnson caught 35 more balls than any one 49 receiver. Curtis Conway provided little more than a possession option and will not return. Cedrick Wilson was the most productive 49er receiver in 2004, but battled inconsistency and has departed in free agency. And Brandon Lloyd regressed after flashing serious potential as a heir to Terrell Owens in his rookie season. Arnaz Battle and rookie Rashaun Woods had very impressive per-catch averages of 17.9 and 22.9 yards, respectively. Unfortunately, they only combined to catch 15 balls. Much more will be expected from Woods in his second season. Fellow 2004 selection Derrick Hamilton made no contribution as a rookie.
Defensive end (4/5): The 49ers will convert to the 3-4 under Head Coach Mike Nolan, emphasizing their great area of strength—linebacker. Right defensive end Andre Carter could see a lot of time standing up at the rush linebacker position. Former tackle Bryant Young, though aging, projects to be a far more effective 3-4 end than Carter. Keep in mind that the 3-4 defensive end is a two-gapper who must absorb blocks. Carter has neither the bulk or the lower body strength to stand up well in this role. Similarly, left defensive end John Engelberger will likely struggle tremendously holding the point against heavy double-teaming. He is a tall, angular defender, best suited to playing on the wing. The bulkier Chris Cooper will spell him. If the 49ers want to maximize the talent of their linebackers, they will need to draft big, blocker-engulfing bodies to protect them.
Other needs: Guard, corner, running back.
Middle linebacker (4/5): Orlando Huff logged the most snaps at this position last season. Huff left in free agency, however, signing with Arizona. Niko Koutouvides is slated as the replacement. Koutouvides was able to pick up some valuable experience in his rookie season. He registered 46 tackles; however, he made few real impacts plays. The Seahawks would be unduly rushing his development if they were to count on him as a starter for a full season. He needs time to grow into a complete player. His backup is inexperienced Terrence Robinson. Seattle’s run defence was abysmal last season, permitting an average of close to 127.0 yards per game. Drafting an impact MLB prospect would allow defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes to take some weight off of Koutouvides, thereby flattening out his learning curve.
Outside linebacker (4/5): Like middle linebacker, outside linebacker is an unstable and uncertain position for the Seahawks. Veteran and former starter Anthony Simmons was cut in the offseason. Chad Brown returns at weakside linebacker, but injury and age undermine his reliability as a starter. Solomon Bates and Tracy White spell Browns, but neither linebacker has shown the skill to hold down the starting job. On the strongside, career special teamer Isaiah Kacyvenski had his best season in 2004, logging 81 tackles. But despite some success last year, Kacyvenski is really only a stopgap option at this position, and fellow strongside ‘backer D.D. Lewis has struggled mightily staying healthy. The Houston Texans’ recent release of Jamie Sharper was certainly noted by the Seahawks. Look for Seattle to make an aggressive push to sign Sharper, a tackling-machine with two or three good years left in him. Even if they do land Sharper, however, Seattle should look to bolster the strong and weak sides with youth and talent in the upcoming draft.
Tight End (4/5): Jerramy Stevens seemingly will never play up to the level expected of him when the Seahawks burned a first round selection on the former-Husky tight end in 2002. Starter Itula Mili lacks the speed and acceleration adequately to exploit gaps in a secondary. The fact that his longest reception in 2004 was for 20 yards bears testimony to this. Third-stringer Ryan Hannam, drafted in the same year as Stevens, only snagged 8 balls last season. In fact, the 3 Seahawk tight end only combined to catch 62 passes for 699 yards between them. Before the 2002 draft, Stevens was projected to better these receiving numbers by himself. What’s more, tight end is an even more pressing need because of the fact that Seattle’s wide receiving corps has a dangerous propensity for dropping critical passes.
Other needs: Wide receiver, right tackle, quarterback.