THEY NEED: RB, T, LB, DT, TE, QB for post-Eli Manning era.
THEY DON’T NEED: WR, CB, C, S.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: LB Jarrad Davis, Florida; RB Dalvin Cook http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/anthony-miller-jersey , Florida State; T Garret Bolles, Utah.
OUTLOOK: Despite not having much cap space, GM Jerry Reese did plenty in offseason. He released veteran WR Victor Cruz and RB Rashad Jennings, re-signed
DE Jason Pierre-Paul and LB Keenan Robinson, and got free agent WR Brandon
Marshall and OL D.J. Fluker to sign. Ten defensive starters are back. New York
is even taking chance on righting career of former Jets QB Geno Smith. Only
major players lost were DT Johnathan Hankins, PK Robbie Gould and OT Marshall
Newhouse. Giants don’t gamble in draft. Unless there is tie in rankings or major
concern about off-field problems, it’s always best player available regardless
of position. Cook is has had off-field problems; his talent makes him risk worth
taking. An out-of-box pick would be Michigan DB Jabrill Peppers, game breaker as
kick returner and wild card for linebacker or safety.
26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-6-1)
LAST SEASON: Once again Seattle took advantage of weak NFC West and claimed fourth division title under Pete Carroll. But it was not typical Seahawks
season. Vaunted defense was still fifth overall in NFL, but exposed late in year
by season-ending injury to star safety Earl Thomas. Seattle’s once reliable run
game struggled in the post-Marshawn Lynch era and fell to 25th in NFL. QB
Russell Wilson played through ankle and knee injuries most of season and was
rarely given adequate protection. And despite all those issues, Seahawks won at
least one playoff game for fifth straight season before losing to Atlanta in
divisional round.
THEY NEED: CB, S, OL, DL.
THEY DON’T NEED: LB, RB Rams Joseph Noteboom Jersey , TE.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: CB Kevin King, Washington; S Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut; OL Cam Robinson, Alabama; OL Garett Boles, Utah; CB Chidobe Awuzie,
Colorado.
OUTLOOK: GM John Schneider has to start looking toward future. Seahawks don’t need to be rebuilt but are getting older in some key spots, especially on
defense. Expect Schneider to be aggressive in draft restocking defensive line
and secondary. Don’t be surprised if he trades early-round selection for picks
later. Seattle’s biggest moves in free agency were offensive line and run game,
and depth at linebacker. Schneider will certainly seek more options for
offensive line that was Seattle’s biggest weakness in 2016.
28. DALLAS COWBOYS (13-4)
LAST SEASON: One of best drafts in franchise history led to sea change, with QB Dak Prescott replacing 10-year starter Tony Romo, directing club-record
11-game winning streak, earning Offensive Rookie of Year honors and ultimately
sending Romo to broadcast booth. NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott was other
rookie star as Cowboys won NFC East for second time in three years and took top
seed in NFC playoffs before losing to Green Bay in divisional round. Defense
again struggled to make game-changing plays and gave up winning drive to Packers
after Cowboys twice pulled even in final five minutes.
THEY NEED: DE, CB, S.
THEY DON’T NEED: C, G http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/clive-walford-jersey , RB.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: CB Adoree Jackson, Southern Cal; DE Charles Harris, Missouri; DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee; CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama; DE Takkarist
McKinley, UCLA.
OUTLOOK: Because CBs Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr left in free agency, it’s now hard to say which need is greater, pass rushing or depth at cornerback.
With DE Randy Gregory out entire season for substance-abuse violations, getting
to quarterback probably still top priority. That’s partly because Anthony Brown,
another product of last year’s draft, and Or.
