OK, a lot has happened in the last few months. New head coach is hired. Seems likely that Pettine is back at DC so we probably continue to run same/similar defense. We know where we're drafting. Needs have changed some.
1) Pass rusher - still my #1 need but just barely. CM3 is almost done and Perry is MIA, either because he's injured or not producing when he is in the lineup. If I can re-sign CM3 to a short, cheap, team friendly deal I'd consider it because he still is functional and would be decent depth both at OLB and ILB. You could flip a coin on Perry. Hang on for another year because the dead money CAP hit just doesn't make it worth very much to cut him, or just dump him and save $3+mil. Fackrell and Gilbert seems to bring just as much as he does. I draft at least one edge guy high. There should be options at #12. Several from the group of J.Allen, Ferrell, Burns, Polite, Sweat will be there and one might be there at 30ish.
2a) S - HHCD is gone. Brice started OK, but once defenses tested him it was clear he wasn't starter material. Jones seems more suited to a hybrid role or certainly more of an in the box type safely role. They need a free safety and may want to look at Josh Jackson there but that's a gamble and will take time. If I was the GM I'd pick up a FA this spring and draft one as well - probably in the middle to later rounds.
2b) OL - McCray just is not good enough to start but I'd keep him for depth. Bulaga is playing fine when available but injuries continue to plague him. I'm bringing him back, only because I have nothing else right now. You can always cut him later. Taylor seems to have regressed and is just OK right now. Bahk and Linsley are solid. There is no evidence of Spriggs ever being better than he has been so far. I'm taking both an interior lineman and a tackle in the first 5 Rds. I'd also be kicking the tires in FA to see if I can add a guy without breaking the bank.
3) DL - Not a dire need but still pretty high. Clark is a stud, but Daniels is getting older. Wilkerson is all but gone. Lowry is a nice rotational guy. Adams and Lancaster both started to show something late and are nice pieces. Pettine, I think, still would like to get more pressure up the middle. I'm looking for a DE in rounds 1 or 2 with decent size who can do that even if he's purely a situational guy.
4) WR - Adams is the real deal. Cobb is done. While there was some production and promise among the rookies and young guys, I'm thinking the new coach will want a solid slot WR and none of them are that guy. I'd maybe take a look at Cole Beasley or Golden Tate who are about the same age as Cobb but have been much more durable and consistently productive. Not sure what the market would be. Tate would likely be pricey - north of $8mil. Beasley should be cheaper - in the $4-5mil range.
5) ILB - Same old story. Martinez is OK. Not much else there but not sure I would invest much draft stock or FA dollars in the position. I would draft another one and hope to hit on a guy but don't really want to spend a Rd 1-2 pick on the position.
6) RB - They are OK right now but need depth. Jones and Williams are good enough and Jones may prove to be the real deal, but you have to wonder if he can stay healthy. Four injuries in less than 2 seasons including 3 sprained MCLs. Williams is a willing runner, does his job catching and pass blocking and is "available". You need to draft a depth guy, preferably one who can catch the ball and has some speed so that he becomes more of a plug and play guy when Jones goes down for a few games.
7) QB - With ARs new deal, he's not going anywhere for 2-3yrs. Sure, we could use a good back-up, but with the college QB situation what it is, I think that anyone with some solid credentials will be taken early. I'll take a mid to late round flyer on a developmental guy but I'm not sure it's worth taking one early in this year's draft. The 3 most worthy guys are Haskins, Jones and Finley and I don't think any of the 3 makes it to our 2nd round pick. Haskins will likely go top 5. Jones probably not much later and I don't think Finley gets past the top 10 in Rd 2 if he lasts even that long.
8) TE - Graham's tank seemed to get more empty as the year moved along. I'm really torn about him. You save maybe $5mil in CAP if you cut him but there isn't much available in FA and then you just have to stick that money right back into the same position. I'd probably just keep him. Lewis is done in GB. Kendricks is serviceable as a cheap back-up if you want to keep him. Tonyan is a work in progress. Not sure if TE is a priority position for LaFleur. Even though it's not a huge need I'd keep an open mind in the draft and take value if it's there. Maybe as high as Rd 1 if LaFleur identifies it as being important enough.
9) CB - Hell, I don't know. ALexander looked really good at times. King is good if healthy. Jackson needs more time, but I wonder if his grabiness is because he knows he doesn't have the speed to hang with guys. He might be a safety at this level. I'd pay Breeland. Not sure of his value but I'm thinking at least $5mil but no more than $8mil. I'd keep Tramon because he just isn't that expensive and showed yet again that he's versatile and available. I'd also draft one in the middle rounds.
