2014 NFL Draft Needs: Packers WR and TE

Wide Receiver

The absence of Randall Cobb this year may have helped Ted Thompson make a tough decision regarding James Jones. Jones, who unsuccessfully tested free agency three years ago, will command a higher paycheck this time around after leading the league in TD catches in 2012. However, Jarrett Boykin stepped in nicely for Cobb, making Thompson less likely to overpay for Jones. Cobb will also demand a new contract after the season, so Thompson ultimately needs to decide which WR to pay.

With Jordy Nelson as the clear #1, Boykin could line up on the outside as well, thanks to his 6'2" frame, leaving the 5'10" Cobb in his natural slot position. Boykin's emergence will likely cause Jones to leave the Packers, allowing Thompson to use a mid-to-late round pick on another WR to provide depth.

Tight End

Jermichael Finley's desire to play next season without taking a pay cut may be the straw that breaks Thompson's back. When healthy, Finley's potential is sky-high. However, combine his propensity for drops with the fact that he's coming back from spinal fusion surgery, and Finley's leverage may be at an all-time low.

In addition to Finley, Andrew Quarless is a free agent this year. Quarless filled in nicely for Finley, but lacked the big-play ability that made Finley a threat. The other TEs on the roster (Brandon Bostick, Ryan Taylor and Jake Stoneburner) are inexperienced and lackluster. Thompson needs to address this need so the offense can continue to deploy pass catchers (and play makers) at every position. I see an early round pick being used on a TE, especially if one makes a Lacy-esque fall.

2014 NFL Draft Needs: Packers QB and RB

Quarterback

From 1993 to 2012, the Packers had three starting quarterbacks. In a five-week span this year, the Packers had four starting quarterbacks. While injuries played a part in this (Aaron Rodgers' collarbone and Seneca Wallace's groin), the fact that they brought back Matt Flynn (and went 2-4-1) showed just how ill-prepared they were for a Rodgers' injury. Scott Tolzien has a strong arm, but was clearly not ready for the spotlight, throwing only one TD and 5 INTs in his 2.5 games.

McCarthy is a solid QB coach, but has been given little talent behind Rodgers. It's obvious the team needs a competent backup, so investing the draft pick will rely squarely on the market demand for Flynn. The team found Flynn in the seventh round in 2008, so don't be surprised if they look for a replacement in the mid-to-late rounds as well. 

Running Back

Eddie Lacy was eighth in the league with 1,178 rushing yards in essentially 14 games . Clearly a stud when healthy, Lacy should retain uncontested starter duties. DuJuan Harris (who is under contract through 2014) and Jonathan Franklin will return from injuries, making James Starks expendable despite the best season of his career. John Kuhn should get an extension as the team's sole FB to round out the Packers' most talented backfield in recent memory.

After investing second a fourth round picks in RBs last year, the Packers should pass on any in 2014. If Kuhn ends up leaving, Thompson probably still won't pick a FB, which seems to be a dying position in today's NFL (for now). He'll have plenty of undrafted options if necessary.

NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is coming soon, and thanks to the raised salary cap and quite an active first week of free agency, the prediction of many teams' picks is a mystery. This first blog is on the Oakland Raiders, since (for now), they own the first pick of the draft.

Oakland - Oakland has a clear need for a quarterback. Their combination of QB's last year did a horrendous job, throwing for 2,850 yards, 7 TDs and 24 INTs, while being sacked 72 times. Some of this can be attributed to having a weak and porous front line, but it should moreso be the fault of immobile and indecisive quarterbacks. Aaron Brooks is past his prime (not that he ever had one), and Andrew Walter isn't exactly hall of fame-bound after this season.

With the defense holding its own and retaining its nucleus from last season, we can rule out a defensive first-round pick. With arguably two of the best WR's in the league in Jerry Porter and Randy Moss, a WR is out (sorry Calvin Johnson). Making a splash in free agency by picking up a couple of RB's and a FB, Oakland really has a need for a big, strong, smart QB.

Enter JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. Russell has the edge over Quinn in size, arm strength, poise and career record one-on-one (1-0). This makes him my pick for the Oakland. While Quinn is a very athletic player, and sure top-10 pick, he breaks down in big games and cannot come through in the clutch. Throwing for 400 yards against a 3-8 team in college is much different than throwing for 400 yards against even the worst of NFL defenses. In my mind, Russell is the surer QB in this draft, and has the potential to be a huge impact on the Oakland offense. Having Moss and Porter to run deep and catch balls that Russell can throw 60+ yards is an incredible opportunity for Al Davis.