My Mock Offseason
Teams Needs
RB: BGJE is a FA, Woody isn't a feature back, Ridley has shown flashes and Vereen is a ?
WR: Dump Ocho. Branch and Welker are FA's. Edelman is a good 4th / 5th wr b/c of his ST contributions and ability to play D in a pinch. Clearly need some bodies here.
OG: I have no idea how Cannon looks at OG when he is asked to pull. If BB has seen enough to determine he won't be a successful at OG we could surprise people and pick an OL high. Waters has played great but is 34 and will retire soon. For now I'll be optimistic and assume that Waters comes back next season and Cannon is given another year for BB to fully evaluate him.
OC: I like Connoly and Wendell as our starter / back-up combo here. Why bring in a rookie when you have proven players.
S: I like McCourty as a full time FS. Chung is the other starter. Ihedigbo can be brought back as a 3rd / 4th safety. Wouldn't hurt to bring in another S.
CB: If McCourty is at FS we need a starter opposite Arrington. Dowling / Moore are 3 / 4 on depth chart. Need a 5th CB.
LB: Starters (Mayo, Spikes, Ninko) will remain the same. However Ninko and Spikes aren't great in coverage. Could really use a better coverage LB to pair with Mayo in the nickle. Guyton should be gone.
Swing OLB / DE: Carter and Anderson are both FA and who knows how Carter will be coming back from injury.
DL: Vince is out of his 20's. Would like to start drafting his replacement b/c there is no guarantee the first one we draft will be successful. Love and Deaderick are the other 2 starters who have played great in the playoffs.
Strategy
RB: While I would love for our top RB to be a better pass catcher you can't have all stars at every position. BJGE shouldn't break the bank and plays his role to perfection.
WR: I have soured on the idea of bringing Lloyd here. While we do need a 2nd wr the offense is clearly successful without a top talent here. I'd rather spend the money on a defensive FA and use draft picks at WR. The offense will be fine through the rookie wr's learning curve. The defense doesn't need more players learning on the job. It goes w/o saying we should bring Welker back.
S: Draft a mid-late round prospect and sign a JAG (Barrett?)
CB: Sign a starting quality CB in FA. Relying on a rookie means more growing pains. FA is a more sure fire route and should improve our weakest link the most. The market is great for CB's this year. Draft late round CB and sign a JAG (Molden, Adams and Bodden are all candidates) for the 5th cb.
LB: Look to draft a coverage LB early.
DL: Look to draft a DL early.
OLB / DE: Anderson is adequate but nothing special as starting swing OLB / DE. However this at least means the position won't be a hole and the D can build some continuity w/ the starting front 7 returning. Andre Carter should come cheap. He can start the season as a sub rusher and if he returns to form will reclaim his starting spot.
Important Free Agency Signings
*** Welker - :rocker::rocker::rocker::rocker:
*** BGJE - see above
*** Branch - I want him back in a reduced role. He shouldn't cost much and is really the only guy who already knows our offense and has a connection with Brady. This is undervalued by many people.
*** Brandon Carr - CB from KC. He looked like a great player but regressed this year. Since Brandon Flowers also looked worse this year I believe Berry missing the whole season had a lot to do with it. Buy when Carr's value is low.
*** Anderson
*** Carter
The Draft . . . . . finally
1a. Zach Brown - Team MVP, 1st team all ACC, 2011 Elite Lineback Trophy Winner and phenomenal athlete. Instantly improves our coverage and is a tackling machine. Don't think a coverage LB is worth a 1st round pick, think again.
Jets - Keller
Bills - Spiller / Jackson
Phins - Bush
Texans - Foster
Ravens - Rice
SD - Gates
Bengals - Gresham
Out of the top AFC competition only the Steelers (could argue Miller) and Broncos are teams where Brown wouldn't help us much.
1b. Traded for a 2, 4 and 5 (14th pick of each round). The value matches up.
2a. Mohammed Sanu - Had a highly productive career at Rutgers. His YAC ability fits in nicely with our offense. Can play slot or outside and run all the routes. No Red Flags.
2b. Alameda Ta'amu - NT - Can be used to keep Vince fresh in regular season so he can beast in playoffs. If he turns into a starter quality player Vince can slide to 3-tech DT or 5-tech DE. Improves our short yardage D as current DL starters Love and Deaderick are a measly 310 and 305 lbs respectively [/sarcasm]. May be a run stuffer only but this is a major insurance against an injury to Vince.
2c. Joe Adams - WR - Elite speed, quickness and great YAC ability. Improves our KR and deep threat upon arrival. A bit of a project but has great upside with correctable flaws. Has time to develop behind Welker, Sanu and Branch.
3 + 5 - Traded for future 2 unless Brewster is still available
4a - Trade for future 3
4b / 7 - BPA out of TE, DL, DB
Concluding Thoughts
Last year we couldn't rush the passer. Now we can't cover. The additions of Brown and Carr, as well as moving McCourty to FS, should greatly improve our coverage. Ninko will mainly rush in the nickle but can be used in coverage adding more versatility to the unit.
Offensively the gang is back, which is a very good thing. Sanu and Adams will be integrated throughout the season and should pass Branch on the depth chart by the time playoffs roll around.
4 top 64 draft picks and a young quality CB were added. In addition we grab a 2 and a 3 for next years draft.