Free Agency Priorities
Cornerback
Can DeMarcus Van Dyke or Chimdi Chekwa start as rookies? Based on how poor rookie cornerbacks normally fare, I’d say no. That means they’d need a veteran opposite Stanford Routt, who is far from a shutdown corner himself.
Guard
Wisniewski is going to play center for them, which fixes their center problem, but leaves them with a hole at guard. Robert Gallery is as good as gone as a free agent. Chris Carlisle isn’t very good either.
Safety
Michael Huff is now a free agent so if they don’t resign him, they’ll need to find a replacement at safety through free agency.
Draft Needs
Cornerback
This team needed cornerback help even before they released Nnamdi Asomugha. Now they need two upgrades at cornerback. They ranked 19th vs. the pass last year despite having Asomugha and a pass rush that accumulated 47 sacks. Neither Stanford Routt nor Chris Johnson (penciled in as starters now) are very good.
Resigned Stanford Routt, Drafted DeMarcus Van Dyke (#81), Drafted Chimdi Chekwa (#113)
Guard
They allowed 44 sacks, 6th most in the league. I’m cutting their tackles, Bruce Campbell and Jared Veldheer, some slack because they are young, but upgrades up front as needed. They could add one, if not two guards in this draft.
Center
Along with guard, center is a huge need for a terrible offensive line.
Drafted Stefen Wisniewski (#48)
Defensive Tackle
Richard Seymour is a free agent after two years with the team so unless they resign the 31 year old to a large contract or franchise tag him for an obscene amount of money, he’s gone. That was definitely worth a 1st round pick. Great trade.
Resigned Richard Seymour
Offensive Tackle
Back to the offensive line. A swing tackle for depth should be added behind Campbell and Veldheer, just in case. Langston Walker is a free agent and was terrible this year as a starter.
Drafted Joseph Barksdale (#92)
Wide Receiver
Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy look promising. Unfortunately, Darrius Heyward Bey has not turned into the #1 receiver. This need likely won’t be filled because Al Davis sung DHB’s praises in his most recent press conference.
Drafted Denarius Moore (#148)
Tight End
Zach Miller is a free agent and if he isn’t resigned, they could add one through the draft.
Drafted Richard Gordon (#181), Drafted David Ausberry (#241)
Running Back
Michael Bush is a free agent and wants to start somewhere so they’ll need a new backup for the explosive, but injury prone Darren McFadden.
Drafted Taiwan Jones (#125)
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