Top NFL Draft Needs For Lions, Cardinals, Bengals, Steelers
Now that the playoffs are over for four more NFL teams, it’s only appropriate to take a look at how they can improve their squads to get back to the dance next season, hopefully with a better shot of winning it all the next time around.
For the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers, it was a weekend of heartbreak. Some more than others due to the level of expectations, some perhaps felt it was coming (no offense, Cardinals fans).
Let’s take a look at some of the top areas of need for each of these teams as they enter into the offseason now after the first weekend of playoff football, and look ahead to the 2015 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions (21st overall pick)
The Lions probably have a lot more to be complaining about on Monday than any other NFL playoff team. A pass interference call was picked up on the field after a conference by the officials. Whether you’ve determined that was the right or wrong decision is up to you, but the Lions probably still could have or should have won the game despite the call.
Detroit has plenty of pieces offensively with which to work, but I think they definitely need a boost on the offensive line, as well as maybe another receiver in the mid-late rounds. Defensively, the Lions could lose Ndamukong Suh at tackle, so they’ll need to look at that position early if not in free agency.
The secondary is much improved, as was the linebacker group, but I think they could get a young corner to pair with Darius Slay as Rashean Mathis is on the last legs of his career, despite playing well this past season.
Top Needs: OL, DT, CB
Arizona Cardinals (22nd overall pick)
The Cardinals’ season was basically a lost cause the minute they learned that Carson Palmer was out for the year. As well as they played as a team and as great a job as Bruce Arians did with this group, it’s just too hard to win in the NFL without your starting quarterback, even if Drew Stanton was capable of winning games.
The Cardinals lost to the Carolina Panthers, a team that’s hot but also the team with the worst record in the playoffs. In my opinion, the Cardinals need some pass rush off the edge that can alter the way offenses have to play them. I also think they need to further address the running back position as well as quarterback behind Carson Palmer.
Obviously, they currently have Drew Stanton and Logan Thomas developing, but Thomas is going to require a lot of time. Palmer is getting older, and despite his new contract, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to draft someone in the 2nd or 3rd round as insurance if the right guy is there.
The Cardinals also need to upgrade the offensive line.
Top Needs: Pass Rusher, OL, QB, RB
Cincinnati Bengals (23rd overall pick)
The Bengals have such a talented young team. The problem here is that I don’t think Andy Dalton can elevate them where they need to go in games just like the one we saw Andrew Luck win on Sunday. And I think that was the case — Andrew Luck was the difference between these two teams. He is capable of elevating his team to the next level, and Andy Dalton — despite missing some of his best targets — is not.
This team’s roster is full of good, young players. The Bengals don’t have a ton of pressing needs, though I would make some moves on the offensive line, at safety, defensive end, and probably another receiver. This team was one of the worst in the NFL at getting pressure on the quarterback (22 sacks on the season), and the passing game on offense was also below average.
You’ve got to think the Bengals will have the talent to be right back around this spot again next season.
Top Needs: S, DE, WR, QB
Pittsburgh Steelers (24th overall pick)
The best team in terms of seeding to lose in the first round was the Steelers, who lost to the sixth seeded Baltimore Ravens. I have to think that the game would have been a lot different had running back Le’Veon Bell been able to play, but that’s neither here nor there.
The Steelers have major questions in the secondary going into this offseason, especially whether or not Troy Polamalu has played his last in the NFL. Injuries forced the team to re-sign James Harrison and he actually played pretty well, but they’ll have to address the pass rush long term as well if they don’t think Jarvis Jones is the answer.
Offensively, they are loaded at wide receiver but obviously have a need at the backup running back spot after letting LeGarrette Blount go to the Patriots. There’s not too much area of need offensively, but they could get a backup running back and maybe one more young guy at receiver, and perhaps an athletic tight end to change things up.
Top Needs: CB, DE/LB, Backup RB