Ranking our Needs, post 2012 draft
 

For the sake of this thread, let's assume the current players on the roster continue to perform at the same, if not slightly better level than they have thus far.

And let's also assume that players drafter in rounds 1-6 perform exactly at their expected level. Poe is the dark horse, but lets say he plays like a first round NT.

What are our needs going into next year? Some things to take into account:

- Current injuries/rehabbing players: (Berry, Moeaki, Charles, Siler, Sheffield, Lewis)
- Players we may lose to FA: (Dorsey, Bowe, Albert, Hillis)



As I see them:

1 - Quarterback
- Cassel is a schmuck. Stanzi hasn't had a legit offseason and playing time to show us what he does or doesn't have. Quinn is a career backup. Far and away our greatest need as the window begins to open on a potential title run.

2 - Inside Linebacker
- After finally getting a legitimate 3-4 NT, it will be interesting to see what it does to the center of our defense. Will Belcher make strides and be more than just a guy in the 'thumper' role? Is Brandon Siler able to recover, and be "the guy"?

3 - Penetrating 3-4 end
- I imagine we lose Dorsey next year. As it is, he is pretty one-dimensional. Can Bailey fill that role? If so, we still need depth. We absolutely need a push from the line on passing downs.

4 - Pass-Rushing Outside Linebacker #3
- Hali, Houston. That's who we got. One goes down, well, we will relive the 2011 Safety situation within out OLB position. Sheffield may never play again.

5 - Depth everywhere



Let's say we need to be 53 strong to win a Superbowl. Out of our current 53, what number of guys do we need to upgrade to get to 53 strong?

Did Sheffield get moved to the inside when I wasn't looking?

ILB: Wondered why noone was drafted. We scored a B on bleacherreport. How, I dunno, except Menzie seems to be a reason.

If Poe and Powe do what they are supposed to do, ILB won't be a problem next year at all.



I expect Belcher to take that next step.

Yeah... whoops. Edited.

I don't expect anything out of Belcher. Anything he does is icing on the cake to me.

Jovan Belcher is the single most underrated player on this roster.

He is very good in his role, and is getting better.

Like I said earlier in the thread, with what I think Poe and Powe can do up in front of him, Belcher is going to take another step or two forward this year.


Wouldn't be surprised if he became a household name in league circles after this year.

I hope so.

Man, for the first time in a long time, we really don't have a ton of needs. Just one glaring one at the most important position.

I know it's a passing league, I won't refute that at all. If you have an elite guy at qb you have a chance to win every year.


That said, I still think being strong up front is important and I think there is still a place for nasty football. As we saw against the Ravens, we got pushed around a little. Still not sure why we stopped running it, but that's old news.


Anyway, we got pushed around last year at times as well. I know it's the NFL and injuries happen but I think Berry and Charles going down hurt a ton and if they stay healthy we probably win the division.

What I'm getting at is that this team, if it can just somehow find that qb (be it next years draft, Stanzi, Quinn etc) to be the "guy", it's built pretty damn good up and down the roster.