Glaring NFL Team Needs

by Josh_D on Sep 30, 2011 6:00 PM EDT

Welcome back to our Glaring Team Needs series! We've come down to come down to five teams to choose at random before we hit 32 and start over. A lot has changed since our first article, so it will be nice to go back and see what may teams have done to address holes in their lineup or if injuries and the like have changed their outlook. Not only in personnel, but in what prospects are considered first round picks. Its a long journey before the draft next April and its liable to have turbulence along the way. We've managed to avoid highlighting players more than once and we will continue to try as we look at the Packers, Texans, and Eagles.

1. Green Bay Packers - Biggest Need: DT/DE The Packers have suffered losses along their defense due to injuries and free agency, particularly around B.J. Raji. There is a lot of young talent at other spots and adding some to the D-Line. 2012 Draft Pick: Jerel Worthy, DT/DE Michigan State Worthy has the size and ability to play every position along the Packers defensive front.

2. Houston Texans - Biggest Need: WR I'll admit that wide receiver isn't the absolute biggest need for the Texans, but they used so many picks on defense last year that they are sure to give them some time to develop. This time around they may look to the offense and find a more consistent weapon to pair with Andre Johnson. 2012 Draft Pick: Ryan Broyles, WR Oklahoma Broyles could be the consistent underneath weapon that frees Johnson over the top.

3. Philadelphia Eagles - Biggest Need: OL The Eagles have committed to Vick. They gave him the big contract and have assembled a ton of talented skill players on both sides of the ball. However, even with Vick's athletic skills the Eagles should have better blocking up front. They have had personnel issues at right tackle and may try to compliment Vick and those weapons with better protection. 2012 Draft Pick: Brandon Washington, OT/G Miami Washington doesn't have the foot speed to be a consistent left tackle, but he could be a powerful right tackle or guard.

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The Eagles biggest need isn’t OL, & RT isn’t a need anymore now that they moved Todd Herremans over there LG is now. There biggest need is at LB, Vontaze Burfict would look great in Eagles green

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by The Legend on Sep 30, 2011 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

So TRUE THEY NEED SOME LB WHO CAN ATTACK THE LOS

by Touhue Cha on Sep 30, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Michael Vick gets hit wayyyy to often for O-line to not be their biggest need.

by RamblinWreck7 on Sep 30, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Part of the reason Vick gets hit a lot is because he runs & holds onto the ball too long. When teams don’t blitz the line is fine. I won’t complain at all if we spend our first pick next year on a LG unless Vontaze Burfict is on the board of course but if we had to go with one position as a bigger need it’s LB.

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by The Legend on Sep 30, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

My feeling on OL is that it could be improved but it is not a 1st round need. Danny Watkins is in over his head partially because he didn’t get the benefit of the off season. Jason Kelce is in the Howard Mudd/Jeff Saturday model and he’s also a rookie. Evan Mathis is a stop-gap who is doing a fine job. 1st round need? No. You could probably improve LG but other than that, the line needs time to be coached.

Linebacker is a huge need and has been one for years. The Eagles are currently starting a 6th round rookie, a 2nd year 7th round pick, and a 3rd year 7th round pick and its not like they’ve got a ton of better guys on the bench. They have consistently under-valued the position and have now switched to a new system and don’t have the guys for the job.

However, it being the Eagles, I am sure they will draft a T/G or a DT in the 1st round.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Oct 1, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Washington does not fit the new Eagles blocking scheme. And the biggest needs on the Eagles are clearly LB and S.

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by d-jackfan10 on Sep 30, 2011 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

Dont get me wrong

I would be thrilled to pick up another big time WR..
But we dont need it and kubiak seems pretty happy with the guys we have right now.

Jacoby jones is a decent wr with some big play potential…despite his drops.
Walter is an elite blocker for the WR position.
We also have Mahel and some other dudes waiting in the wings.

Texans need a big fat Defensive tackle.
Also some linebackers. Im just not super confident Meco and Cush can get it done but they are doing alot better.

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by AlDe2356 on Oct 1, 2011 12:53 AM EDT reply actions

DL is definitely one of the biggest needs. However, I’d say OLB is at the same level. Jarius Wynn has played pretty well and we still have 2nd-rounder Mike Neal if he can ever get healthy. At OLB we have Erik Walden, an injured Frank Zombo, and a couple of UDFA rookies who haven’t done anything. So we have bodies at both, but both could use an upgrade. I’d say just go with whichever position offers the best value.