Ranking our Needs, post 2012 draft

[Dante84]

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?