Updated Team Needs: NFC South
By Editorial Staff
One of the most important factors when preparing for the NFL Draft is knowing each and every NFL team. NFL Mocks keeps a very close eye on each team and will bring you an updated needs assessment at the end of each month. These needs will help as we prepare to make predictions for the 2011 NFL Draft. Continue to check out our team needs page to find the most recent assessments. Also after looking at the team needs move on over to the Big Board and see what prospects might fit your teams need.
Nothing has changed about the Atlanta Falcons’ pass defense this year. They upgraded with Dunta Robinson, but they’re still ranked 23rd against the pass prior to the start of week 11 games. Brent Grimes and Brian Williams aren’t enough to help on the opposite side from Robinson. Safety could use an upgrade as well. Offensive tackle Tyler Clabo and guard Harvey Dahl could leave as free agents. Offensive line may be addressed as well. Blogging dirty, the fansided Falcons blog lists these as the needs for the Falcons in the upcoming draft: Agree?
–Early rounds: DL, OL, DB
–Later rounds: WR, RB, LB
Carolina Panthers
Since Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore haven’t showed much promise at all this year, quarterback wouldn’t be a bad idea to target. They like their young receivers, but another one may be able to help more. Tight end Jeff King’s contract will be up and they could use a better tight end than what they have other than him anyway. Defensive line needs major upgrades as well. A linebacker and corner may need to be added as well since linebacker Thomas Davis and corner Richard Marshall are due to be free agents, too.
The defensive line could use some better run stoppers. Before this past weekend, the Saints were ranked 16th against the run. Darren Sharper and Roman Harper could become free agents, so another safety could be brought in to help lessen the blow. A third running back may be in the cards as well since Pierre Thomas is having so much trouble recovering from injury and Bush was out for quite a while earlier this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
provided by Head of the Buccaneers blog: Patrick Nohe
“The Bucs biggest need is defensive end. That part of their needs is not a mystery and even the most idiotic of commentators seem to get that one right. I expect them to probably spend two of their first three picks looking for edge-pass rushers. The Bucs play a 4-3 so they’re going to be 4-3 ends that the Bucs are ideally hoping to find.
After that it depends on what the Bucs do with Barrett Ruud, if they don’t resign him their next most pressing need is a MLB. The Bucs still play a variation of their original Tampa 2 so they’re definitely going to be looking for a middle linebacker who is good when dropped into coverage.
After MLB it’s going to be a safety. The Bucs best safety will miss the start of the season finishing up a year-long suspension. Cody Grimm is recovering from injury, Corey Lynch is still raw and Sean Jones could be upgraded.
I’ll have more for you as the Buccaneers make some personnel decisions of their own. If they can’t resign Davin Joseph then guard does become an issue, but there’s a high certainty they will resign him. Ruud is far less certain.”