As wide receivers continue to get bigger and faster, and college basketball players switch to playing tight end in the NFL, the leagues’ defensive backs find themselves under more pressure than ever before. Games are now won and lost through the air, and often times games come down to either a great or poor play in the secondary.
Whether it’s the corners matched up against a receiver or a safety on a tight end, the secondary plays a crucial role in any teams’ success or lack thereof. We’re at a point in the league’s history when a team can’t have too many good players in the secondary. This is one of the deepest cornerback classes in recent memory, and there will likely be many defensive backs drafted next week. Just which teams are looking to bolster their secondary?
NEED: CORNERBACK
Carolina Panthers
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Chris Gamble (9th year), Captain Munnerlyn (4th year), Darius Butler (4th year), Brandon Hogan (2nd year) R.J. Stanford (2nd year), Reggie Sullivan (2nd year), Josh Thomas (2nd year)
The Panthers have a number of bodies at cornerback, but there’s not much talent to speak of. Aside from Chris Gamble the Panthers don’t have anyone who can consistently stop the oppositions’ receivers, which is why Carolina gave up a whopping 8.4 yards per pass attempt in 2011.
Carolina’s goal leading up to 2011 was to rebuild its offense, and the focus now needs to be its defense. Will they look to improve their pass rush in the first round, or will they instead prefer to add a cornerback like Stephon Gilmore with the ninth pick of the draft?
Chicago Bears
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Charles Tillman (10th year), Tim Jennings (7th year), D.J.Moore (4th year), Kelvin Hayden (8th year),Jonathon Wilhite (5th year), Donovan Warren (2nd year)
Charles Tillman finally earned Pro Bowl recognition after several seasons of playing at a high level. The Bears’ other starting cornerback, Tim Jennings, doesn’t play anywhere near that same level, however. The obvious solution here would be to just elevate D.J. Moore from nickel to playing outside in Jennings spot. Moore excels in the nickel though, and it probably wouldn’t be worthwhile to move him out of that role.
Adding a starting caliber cornerback would go a long way in giving Chicago’s defense an elite status. While many expect the Bears to draft a wide receiver in the first round, don’t rule out the chance of them considering someone like Dre Kirkpatrick in the first as well.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Leon Hall (6th year), Nate Clements (12th year), Terrance Newman (10th year), Jason Allen (7th year), Brandon Ghee (3rd year), Adam Jones (6th year)
Before Leon Hall ruptured his Achilles tendon late in the 2011 season, cornerback was a position the Bengals could feel pretty comfortable about. Now, it’s been one of their highest priorities this offseason. It’s likely that Hall will begin the season on the PUP list, and how much he’ll contribute this season is very questionable.
Even if Hall is able to play early, the majority of Cincinnati’s defensive backs are aging and in the downhill portion of their careers. There is a big need for an infusion of young talent in the Bengals’ secondary, and it’s very likely they’ll address that in the first three rounds of the draft.
Detroit Lions
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Chris Houston (6th year), Jacob Lacey (4th year), Alphonso Smith (4th year), Aaron Berry (3rd year), Don Carey (4th year), Ross Weaver (2nd year)
Age isn’t a factor in the Lions’ secondary, but the talent level is. Since they’ll be facing Aaron Rodgers at least twice a year for the foreseeable future, they need to have two good cornerbacks, and right now they only have one (Chris Houston).
Jacob Lacey was their first attempt at adding a corner this offseason, but he was one of the worst in the league last year and Detroit shouldn’t put too much faith in him. Janoris Jenkins would be an attractive option in the second round, but would the Lions, who have dealt with multiple headaches already this offseason, take him with his off the field issues?
Indianapolis Colts
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Jerraud Powers (4th year),Kevin Thomas (3rd year), Brandon King (3rd year), Chris Rucker (2nd year), Terrance Johnson (2nd year), Mike Holmes (2nd year)
To put it simply, the Colts are in desperate need of an overhauled secondary, and the problems start at cornerback. Jerraud Powers is the best cornerback in the group, and he struggles to stay healthy and gives up too many receptions when he’s able to stay on the field.
The rest of the secondary is young, but that doesn’t imply there’s a lot of potential here. Indianapolis will need to find a minimum of two new corners for 2012, one to play outside and one to play in the slot.
Minnesota Vikings
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Antoine Winfield (14th year), Asher Allen (4th year), Chris Carr (7th year), Chris Cook (3rd year), Reggie Jones (3rd year), Zack Bowman (5th year), Marcus Sherels (2nd year)
Antoine Winfield is 35 years old, Asher Allen is nothing more than serviceable, and Chris Cook can’t stay out of trouble. Minnesota needs players in its secondary that it can rely on, and right now they simply don’t have that.
Adding Chris Carr gives them a solid second or third option at cornerback, but that’s not enough to solve the Vikings’ problems. At the very least, they’ll need to find a corner who can eventually replace Winfield.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Ike Taylor (10th year), Curtis Brown (2nd year), Cortez Allen (2nd year), Antonio Smith (2nd year), Walter McFadden (3rd year), Keenan Lewis (4th year)
Pittsburgh has relied on an outstanding pass rush and one of the best duos of safeties in the league to cover up for a poor group of corners over the last several seasons. The departure of William Gay has weakened that group even more.
Ike Taylor is now in his tenth season and he was exposed in the Steelers’ playoff loss to Denver. Behind Taylor there currently aren’t any legitimate starters. It’s time for Pittsburgh to make cornerback a priority.
San Diego Chargers
Cornerbacks currently on roster: Quentin Jammer (11th year), Antoine Cason (5th year), Marcus Gilchrist (2nd year), Shareece White (2nd year)
The Chargers have holes in several areas of their secondary, and the best way of patching those holes may be by shuffling some of the players currently on their roster. At first glance the biggest hole is at safety. However, the draft class is much deeper at corner, and it may be easier for San Diego to draft a starting caliber cornerback than a safety.
Cornerback Quentin Jammer has clearly lost a step, but he should be more than able to play as a safety for several more seasons. So, by moving Jammer to safety and then drafting his replacement at corner, the Chargers should be able to upgrade their secondary without having to make too many moves.
NEED: SAFETY
Dallas Cowboys
Safeties currently on roster: Gerald Sensabaugh (8th year), Brodney Pool (8th year), Danny McCray (3rd year), Barry Church (3rd year), Mana Silva (2nd year), Justin Taplin Ross (2nd year)
The Cowboys have spent this offseason working to rebuild a secondary that struggled in 2011. The biggest improvement was signing cornerback Brandon Carr, who should prove to be a huge upgrade.
Dallas also added Brodney Pool to replace Abram Elam, who struggled at safety last year. Pool is better that Elam, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. Pool is better suited as a third safety and the Cowboys really should look to add a true starting caliber player there, such as Mark Barron.
Denver Broncos
Safeties currently on roster: Quinton Carter (2nd year), Mike Adams (9th year), David Bruton (4th year), Rahim Moore (2nd year)
Injuries and age may force one of Denver Broncos’ most valued leaders into retirement. If Brian Dawkins does eventually decide to retire, they’ll surely miss his leadership in the locker room and on the sideline. However, his play has greatly fallen off in the last season or two and even if he does decide to return, there’s no guarantee he’d be a starter.
The Broncos could elect to plug Quinton Carter in his place, and considering the weak safety draft class that may end up being the decision they make. Denver still should look to add some depth at the very least, however.
New England Patriots
Safeties currently on roster: Patrick Chung (3rd year), Steve Gregory (7th year), Sergio Brown (3rd year), Ross Ventrone (3rd year), Josh Barrett (5th year)
A quick survey of the Patriots’ roster reveals there is very little to get excited about when talking about their safeties. It’s one of, if not the very weakest area of their roster and really needs to be addressed.
Adding Steve Gregory will be a big boost relatively speaking, but at best he’s an average starter. Still, a replacement for Patrick Chung needs to be found sooner than later. He’s got plenty of potential but he just can’t seem to fulfill it. 2012 will likely be a make or break year for him.
New York Jets
Safeties currently on roster: LaRon Landry (6th year), Eric Smith (7th year), Tracy Wilson (2nd year), DeAngelo Smith (4th year)
Darrelle Revis may be the best cornerback in the league, but even that isn’t enough to solve the Jets woes in the rest of the secondary. The problem lies at safety for New York. Jim Leonhard was adequate at safety last year, but a torn patellar tendon will leave him unavailable for at least the first part of the 2012 season.
The Jets signed LaRon Landry in an attempt to strengthen the position but it’s doubtful that will be enough. Landry is a physical freak, but isn’t good in coverage and at the most is a stop gap. An ideal scenario would have the Jets adding two safeties before the 2012 season kicks off, but they desperately need at least one.
St. Louis Rams
Safeties currently on roster: Quintin Mikell (10th year), Craig Dahl (5th year), Brian Jackson (3rd year)
Darian Stewart has been a nice story, going from an undrafted free agent to becoming a starter. Unfortunately, he was one of the worst strong safeties in the league last year and St. Louis doesn’t appear interested in bringing him back.
A Jeff Fisher coached team will always have a priority placed on defense, and throughout his coaching career he’s put a high value on having a solid pair of safeties. The Rams know they’ve got one piece of that puzzle in Quintin Mikell, and it’s now time to find his partner.
Tennessee Titans
Safeties currently on roster: Michael Griffin (6th year), Jordan Babineaux (9th year), Robert Johnson (3rd year), Al Afalava (4th year)
The Titans’ strategy in addressing the safety position will depend in large part on how confident they are they’ll be able to re-sign Michael Griffin in 2013. They’ve placed the franchise tag on him for 2012, but there hasn’t been much talk in signing him to a long term contract prior to the 2012 season. It should be a priority for the team; although he’s inconsistent he’s still a top 15 safety in the league.
Regardless of what Griffin’s status is, Tennessee still needs a safety to play alongside him. Jordan Babineaux provides very good depth at the position, but he shouldn’t be relied upon as a starter. Mark Barron and Harrison Smith are both very real options for Tennessee in the first two rounds of the draft.
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