More than 300 of the top prospects have gathered in
Indianapolis for the annual NFL combine, which begins Tuesday and runs through
Monday. Players will undergo medical testing and be put through on-field drills
at Lucas Oil Stadium. Then it's on to interviews with team personnel and the
media in advance of the 2019 NFL draft, which will take place April 25-27 in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Here’s one position that each team should be focused on at
the combine. Here's what I think regarding the class that is at its deepest and
best along the defensive line.
AFC NORTH
PITTSBURGH
STEELERS
Wide receiver. Trading Antonio Brown could
prompt the Steelers to select a wide receiver in the first two rounds for the
third straight year. The free-agent receiver class is considered weak, and the
Steelers are among the league's best at scoring wideout talent through the
draft, with JuJu
Smith-Schuster the latest success story. Marquise
Brown, Antonio's cousin, would be an intriguing vertical
threat.
More positions to watch: ILB, CB
BALTIMORE
RAVENS
Interior offensive line. When
asked about the pieces to put around Lamar Jackson,
offensive coordinator Greg Roman placed offensive line at the top of the list.
"We talk about Lamar a lot and his unique skill set and his talent, but
we've got to have a strong, powerful offensive line," Roman said.
"That's where it all starts -- domination up front and control up
front." Baltimore needs to upgrade at left guard and center. But the
Ravens haven't selected an interior offensive lineman in the first round since
Ben Grubbs in 2007.
More positions to watch: WR, OLB, RB
CINCINNATI
BENGALS
Linebacker. The Bengals' three
starting linebackers, Vontaze
Burfict, Preston Brown and Nick Vigil, never played a
game together in 2018 due to injuries and suspensions. It quickly became clear
that the Bengals need to change the type of linebackers they acquire after
being gashed by teams with quick-passing offenses. Instead of the bigger,
run-stuffing types the team has long preferred, the Bengals need to look at
speedier linebackers who can cover.
More positions to watch: G,
OT, TE
CLEVELAND
BROWNS
Defensive tackle. It's a good
draft for the defensive interior, and the Browns will study that position
closely. The team is thrilled with the play of Larry
Ogunjobi but feel he can be even better with another strong
presence inside. The other benefits of an improved tandem inside to provide
up-the-middle pressure: It would free Myles Garrett
and Emmanuel
Ogbah on the outside and improve the overall pass rush.
More
positions to watch: WR, LB, CB
AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS
Wide receiver. Long gone in
Buffalo are Sammy Watkins (2014
first-round pick), Robert Woods (2013
second-round pick), Marquise
Goodwin(2013 third-round pick) and Kelvin
Benjamin (2017 trade acquisition). The Bills are down to nearly
bare bones at wide receiver, with the group headlined by 2017 second-round
pick Zay Jones and
2018 undrafted free agent Robert Foster. Both
players showed promise at points last season, but much more help -- especially
at the top of the depth chart -- is needed for Josh Allen.
More
positions to watch: OL, RB, TE
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Quarterback. Miami has plenty of
needs, but there is none more important than quarterback as the team is
expected to move on from Ryan
Tannehill and has zero starting options currently on the
roster. Dwayne
Haskins and Kyler Murray appear
to be the top two QBs in this draft class, and many mock drafts (including
those of Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay) already have made the connection
between Murray and Miami. If they like either of the two QBs, the Dolphins must
be willing to trade up to get their guy. The Dolphins' journey to escape
mediocrity won't be successful unless they find that franchise
quarterback.
More positions to watch: Edge rusher, OL,
CB
NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS
Wide receiver. Julian
Edelman is the only receiver who was on the active roster for
Super Bowl LIII and is under contract for 2019, so there are multiple spots to
fill. One theme in scouting circles is to make sure you have your home area
particularly well-covered, and that's why UMass' Andy Isabella is
of particular interest. It isn't often UMass has a prospect who seems to be
rising at this point in the pre-draft process, and Isabella is doing just that
after showing well at the Senior Bowl. Whether he's a fit for the Patriots
remains to be seen.
More positions to watch: QB, TE
NEW YORK JETS
Edge rusher. The Jets haven't
had a pure speed rusher since the days of John Abraham (2000-05). If they stay
with a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, which now
appears likely, the target positions will be outside linebacker and defensive
end. This could be a historic defensive-line class, and the Jets will be
looking hard at the top edge players -- Nick Bosa, Rashan Gary and Josh Allen (OLB),
each of whom will be a consideration with the No. 3 overall pick.
More
positions to watch: OT, G, C, RB, WR
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON
TEXANS
Offensive tackle. The Texans
tried to fix their issues on the offensive line last offseason through free
agency and the draft, but the group still struggled to protect
quarterback Deshaun
Watson, who was sacked an NFL-leading 62 times. Houston has young
options at both tackle spots and brought back Seantrel Henderson on
a one-year deal. But with three picks in the first three rounds, it's expected
that general manager Brian Gaine will be keeping a close eye on this year's
group of OTs.
More positions to watch: G, C, RB
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Edge rusher. The Colts had a
surprising defense that ranked 11th overall last season. But they were tied for
19th in the league in sacks with 38. The Colts will struggle to get by with
that type of pass rush because they're scheduled to face Patrick
Mahomes, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Derek Carr and Ben
Roethlisberger next season.
More positions to watch: WR,
LB, DL
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
Quarterback. The Jaguars are
considered the favorites to land Nick Foles,
but that's not guaranteed, so quarterback will be their priority. They pick
seventh, so Dwayne Haskins and possibly Kyler Murray are in play -- especially
if they move up to ensure they get their top choice (the Giants pick sixth and
are expected to target a QB). If the Jaguars are content to wait until the
second round to add a QB (or trade back late into the first round), Daniel Jones and Will Grier would
be potential targets. If the Jaguars land Foles, QB probably is off the table
in 2019, in which case they can go best available player at No. 7.
More
positions to watch: TE, OL, WR
TENNESSEE
TITANS
Interior defensive line. Although
their defense is one of the league's top units, the Titans are in desperate
need of someone to pair with defensive tackle Jurrell Casey.
Casey routinely makes plays in the backfield but will face double-teams, so
it's essential to find another player who can collapse the pocket and get quick
penetration against the run. Austin
Johnson, a 2016 second-round pick, and veteran DaQuan Jones have
not been factors so far.
More positions to watch: OLB,
Interior OL, WR, TE
AFC WEST
DENVER
BRONCOS
Cornerback. Three players who saw
time at cornerback last season -- Bradley Roby, Tramaine
Brock and Jamar Taylor --
are unrestricted free agents, and none of the three is expected to draw much
interest for a Denver return unless it is at the Broncos' price tag. That
leaves Chris Harris
Jr., who has an option bonus that is due before free agency opens,
and a lot of question marks. Free agency may not offer much help at the
position, and though Isaac Yiadom,
a rookie last season, looks ready for more playing time, the Broncos probably
are going to have to use some draft capital to get a rookie good enough to step
in and play right away.
More positions to watch: OL, WR,
TE
KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
Safety. The Chiefs can no longer
depend on Eric Berry,
who hasn't played in 31 of their past 34 games, counting the playoffs. They
need to plan for life without him at a position where the Chiefs are thin, even
if Berry plays a substantial portion of the 2019 season. The Chiefs suffered at
safety last season as they attempted to get through with a collection of
lower-paid journeymen and lower-round draft picks. It's past time for an
upgrade.
More positions to watch: CB, RB, TE, DL
LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS
Linebacker. The Chargers had
three starting linebackers finish on injured reserve last year in Denzel
Perryman, Jatavis Brown and Kyzir White.
Of those three, Perryman will become an unrestricted free agent in March. The
Chargers' lack of depth at linebacker is one of the reasons they used seven
defensive backs and struggled to stop the New England Patriots' running game in
the AFC playoffs. Combine prospects who make sense include LSU's Devin White,
Michigan's Devin Bush and
Alabama's Mack Wilson.
More
positions to watch: DT, OT, QB
OAKLAND
RAIDERS
Edge rusher. The Raiders had a
league-low 13 sacks, or 0.5 sacks more than Khalil Mack,
who was traded away in the midst of his contract holdout. Sure, Mack would have
helped, but even if you add his 12.5 sacks to the Raiders' 13, Oakland still
would have had the fewest sacks in the NFL. The likes of Nick Bosa and Josh
Allen fit the bill, but they will potentially both be gone before the Raiders
select at No. 4 overall.
More positions to watch: S, WR,
CB
NFC EAST
DALLAS
COWBOYS
Wide receiver. With Cole Beasley set
to hit free agency and Allen Hurns'
status up in the air because of a dislocated ankle suffered in the playoffs,
the Cowboys have two receivers on the roster with more than 20 catches in 2018
in Amari Cooper and Michael
Gallup. The Cowboys do not have a first-round pick because of the
Cooper trade, but they could be in the market for a slot receiver if Beasley
leaves -- or, if he stays, one who can play all across the formation.
More
positions to watch: TE, DT, OT, RB
NEW YORK
GIANTS
Quarterback. Eli Manning is
38 and the Giants would be negligent if they didn't focus their attention on
the top quarterbacks, beginning with Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray. They
currently have the highest pick among QB-needy teams in this draft and not a
ton of time to find Manning's successor.
More positions to watch: OL,
LB, S
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES
Running back. Lack of consistency
in the backfield hurt the Eagles last season, and with Jay Ajayi
and Darren
Sproles both set to become free agents, it's time to invest.
They have a pair of second-round picks. This could be the first time they draft
a back that high since taking LeSean McCoy in
the second round in 2009.
More positions to watch: DE, S,
OL
WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
Quarterback. Alex Smith is
a long shot to return after suffering a season-ending compound fracture in his
right leg. Washington must find another quarterback to pair with Colt McCoy,
the only other QB on the roster. The Redskins don't feel they need to draft one
in the first round -- and they will consider adding a veteran through free
agency or a trade. But they must pay close attention to the quarterbacks to
determine if any of them are worth selecting. They have other positions they
must fill, but quarterback is the most important, so they must be
certain.
More positions to watch: OLB, WR, G
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS
Safety. Starter Adrian Amos is
scheduled to hit the free-agent market, opening a spot opposite Pro
Bowler Eddie Jackson.
Amos produced two interceptions, 73 tackles and a sack in 2018. The problem for
the Bears is, absent a trade, they don't have a pick until the third round.
They traded this year's No. 1 in the Khalil Mack deal (well worth it) and the
No. 2 to move up in last year's draft to select WR Anthony
Miller, from whom more will be expected after offseason shoulder
surgery.
More positions to watch: CB, OL, RB
DETROIT LIONS
Edge rusher. Detroit's most
significant need has been and continues to be a player who can get pressure on
quarterbacks from the edge. Detroit's two most explosive defensive ends
-- Ezekiel Ansah and Romeo Okwara --
might not return. Ansah is an unrestricted free agent; Okwara is a restricted
free agent. With this being a strong draft for front-seven players, the Lions
should be looking across all rounds to find edge-rush talent that would fit
coach Matt Patricia's scheme. The first round will garner the most attention,
though, and players such as Josh Allen and Clelin
Ferrell will be players to look at in the No. 8 spot.
More
positions to watch: TE, CB, WR
GREEN BAY
PACKERS
Edge rusher. Clay Matthews is
a free agent. Nick Perry could
get cut. And who knows if Kyler
Fackrell can come close to replicating his 10.5-sack season
from 2018? Even if the Packers re-sign Matthews and/or keep Perry, they need a
long-term player to rush the quarterback from the outside, and with two first-round
picks (Nos. 12 and 30), there's a good chance GM Brian Gutekunst will take one
early on. They probably would have liked to see Louisiana Tech's Jaylon
Ferguson, who will be allowed to conduct limited interviews and get
medical evaluation. He cannot take part in drills or testing because he was
found guilty of simple battery during his freshman year after a fight. They'll
take a long, hard look at the edge-rushing class in Indy.
More
positions to watch: S, G/T, WR, TE, ILB
MINNESOTA
VIKINGS
Guard. It's difficult to see the
Vikings spending their first-round pick on anything other than an offensive
lineman, with their biggest need being on the interior. The free-agent guard
market is relatively bleak, so instead of shelling out for a veteran when money
is already tight, Minnesota can use the draft to help bolster protection
around Kirk Cousins.
It also could use multiple high picks to build up the offensive line. Though
this year's class of offensive linemen isn't as deep as the group from 2018,
the Vikings should have a handful of intriguing prospects to consider at No.
18.
More positions to watch: Edge rusher, DT, LB
NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA
FALCONS
Defensive tackle. The Falcons
need a playmaker next to Grady Jarrett,
a guy who can finish off plays after Jarrett gets penetration and a player with
enough speed and physicality to win his one-on-one opportunities.
Houston's Ed Oliver continues
to be linked to the Falcons, and draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had Oliver going to
the Falcons with the 14th overall pick in his latest mock draft.
More
positions to watch: OL, DE, CB
CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Edge rusher. The Panthers need
help on the offensive line as well, but with the retirement of Julius Peppers
and the defense transitioning to a mix of 3-4 to go with Ron Rivera's
traditional 4-3 scheme, an edge rusher looms as the biggest need. Outside
of Mario Addison and
project Efe Obada,
the Panthers don't have another end on the roster, although Pro Bowl
tackle Kawann Short has
the flexibility to move inside and out.
More positions to watch: C,
LB
NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS
Offensive line. The Saints have
one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but they need to start developing
some future replacements for left tackle Terron
Armstead, center Max Unger and
maybe left guard Andrus Peat (a
free agent in 2020). The Saints have to think long-term with this year's draft
class, because they don't have any picks in Rounds 1, 3 or 4. They'll have to
use free agency to address their more immediate need for a pass-catcher at TE
or WR.
More positions to watch: DT, S
TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS
Defensive tackle. The Bucs truly
have needs at every level of their defense, especially because they're
undergoing a scheme change under coordinator Todd Bowles. This is a
particularly strong class of interior defensive linemen, and Tampa must prepare
for life without Gerald McCoy,
given McCoy's $13 million salary-cap hit in 2019. With the fifth overall
selection, the Bucs could really have their pick with player such as
Alabama's Quinnen
Williams and Houston's Ed Oliver if they stay put (GM Jason
Licht has traded down two out of the past three years).
More positions
to watch: OT, ILB, DB
NFC WEST
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Wide receiver. Besides Larry
Fitzgerald, who will be 36 when the season begins and will be
playing in his 16th year, and second-year receiver Christian
Kirk, the Cardinals don't have any other impact receivers on the
roster. And they saw this past season how a lack of receivers can impact an
offense. Arizona needs to add depth to its receiving corps but, more important,
the Cards need at least one impact receiver and one big receiver to work the
sidelines and corners of the end zone.
More positions to watch: ILB,
CB, TE
LOS ANGELES
RAMS
Edge rusher. It was a position of
need in 2018 and remains as such this offseason. Though the pass rush was
dynamic at times, the Rams were unable to create consistent pressure from the
edge last season despite acquiring outside linebacker Dante Fowler
Jr. at the trade deadline. Fowler is now a pending unrestricted
free agent, as is Matt Longacre,
whom Fowler replaced. Opposite of Fowler was Samson Ebukam,
a second-year pro and first-year starter, and after he produced three sacks in
18 starts, including the playoffs, it's uncertain whether he is a long-term
solution.
More positions to watch: CB, S, OL
SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS
Edge rusher. Namely, a Leo
defensive end, which is the spot in the Niners' defense expected to be manned
by the team's best pass-rusher. It's no secret the 49ers need a
difference-making presence off the edge, and it's also well-known that this
draft happens to be loaded at the position. The combine will be important for
the Niners to get a feel (and the medical information) for top guys such as
Ohio State's Nick Bosa and Kentucky's Josh Allen, but also to get a better read
on players who could be available in the event of a trade back.
More
positions to watch: DB, WR, LB
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Edge rusher. The Seahawks got a combined 23.5
sacks out of Frank Clark and Jarran Reed,
but Reed is an interior player and Clark's long-term future with the team is
uncertain. Plus, no other Seahawks defender had more than three sacks. They
need an impact edge rusher to line up opposite Clark. This draft is considered
to be deep at that position, so there's a good chance the Seahawks will be able
to get one who's ready to contribute right away even though they're slated to
pick at No. 21. They also could trade back to acquire more selections than the
four they currently have.
More positions to watch: OL, LB, WR
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