NFL draft 2001
Team needs: NFC West
As published in print March 26, 2001
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Atlanta Falcons|Carolina Panthers|New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Rams|San Francisco 49ers
Atlanta Falcons |
| Needs on offense: Atlanta has a major need on
an offensive line that was flat-out awful last season. The team went out of its way at the
national Scouting Combine to talk to top OL prospects such as Michigan’s Steve
Hutchinson and Jeff Backus, Leonard Davis of Texas and Kenyatta Walker of Florida. With
Terance Mathis (33 years old) and Shawn Jefferson (32) not getting any younger and
smallish Tim Dwight susceptible to injuries, the team would love to find a few
fleet-footed receivers with decent size. |
| Needs on defense: The Falcons need to fortify
their pass rush. Neither Patrick Kerney nor Brady Smith, both of whom are undersized, has
generated consistent pressure on the edges. With free agent Terry Cousins moving on to
Miami, more depth is needed at cornerback. |
| On Draft Day … If the Falcons stay at the
No. 5 spot in Round One, whomever they select is likely to receive a signing bonus in the
$7 million to $8 million range. Don’t be surprised if they trade down to save a few
bucks and grab another pick or two. |
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Carolina Panthers |
| Needs on offense: Carolina could very well use
its 11th overall pick on a candidate for the starting OLT job (Florida’s Kenyatta
Walker?) or a game-breaking running back. If either Deuce McAllister or LaDainian
Tomlinson are somehow still available, the Panthers probably wouldn’t hesitate to
grab either runner. The Panthers are likely to draft a quarterback, but probably not until
the third or fourth round at the earliest. They have scouted Purdue’s Drew Brees
closely and like what they see — but reportedly not enough to spend their No. 1 pick
on him. |
| Needs on defense: The needs here aren’t
nearly as pressing after the team focused so intently on defense in the draft and free
agency last year. A Lester Towns-type linebacker who could make veteran Dean Wells
expendable and improve the Panthers’ salary-cap situation wouldn’t hurt. |
| On Draft Day … Don’t be shocked if
the Panthers pull off a deal for another quarterback. The Rams’ Trent Green is a very
intriguing long shot. |
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New Orleans Saints |
| Needs on offense: The Saints say they
definitely would have used their first-round pick on a wide receiver had they not signed
Albert Connell from the Redskins. But they still feel they could use more help at the WR
position, as well as at running back, where Chad Morton can’t be expected to handle
the backup load behind Ricky Williams alone. The Saints might also spend a mid-round pick
on a backup for TE Cam Cleeland after cutting the cord with Andrew Glover. |
| Needs on defense: A free safety who could
hopefully start opposite SS Sammy Knight is probably the Saints’ top priority. But if
there’s a corner they like who is still available at the 23rd overall pick, they
could opt for that route. The team also has a huge need for DT depth behind its stellar
starting duo of La’Roi Glover and Norman Hand. With Charlie Clemons coming off an
Achilles injury and the possibility of either free agent Darrin Smith signing with another
team or Mark Fields getting cut, more depth at linebacker is also needed. |
| On Draft Day … Saints GM Randy Mueller has
a reputation for wheeling and dealing. Look for him to try to recoup the No. 3 pick New
Orleans lost in the trade with Green Bay for QB Aaron Brooks last season. |
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St. Louis Rams |
| Needs on offense: From the third round on, the
Rams could begin taking fliers on wide receivers, tight ends and another quarterback. With
Ricky Proehl probably retiring and Az-Zahir Hakim becoming an unrestricted free agent
after the 2001 season, WR depth must be considered the top offensive need. |
| Needs on defense: Everything!!! The biggest
holes are at defensive tackle, where both starting spots are wide open, and linebacker.
But the team also could use more help at cornerback, safety (even with Kim Herring now on
board) and defensive end, especially if Kevin Carter is sent packing. The Rams are looking
for speed over size. |
| On Draft Day … Though talks have cooled,
it’s still possible there will be a trade with the Chiefs involving QB Trent Green.
The Rams would love to land three solid defensive starters with their first three picks. |
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San Francisco 49ers |
| Needs on offense: The Niners are looking for
help at running back. It doesn’t appear they will go out of their way to re-sign
Charlie Garner, and if he splits, that leaves RBs Paul Smith, Jonas Lewis and Garrison
Hearst, whose ankle problems still make him a major question mark. If the team can’t
re-sign free agent Scott Gragg, it could have a major need for a right tackle. |
| Needs on defense: The Niners made huge strides
on defense in last year’s draft, but they’re still looking for more playmakers
across the board — especially up front, where they need to generate more pressure and
bolster their pass rush. |
| On Draft Day … It’s quite possible
San Francisco will trade down from its ninth overall spot — but not too far. 49ers GM
Bill Walsh claims there’s a huge drop-off when you get past the first 15-20 picks.
However, if the Niners could move down a few notches and still land a player such as DE
Andre Carter — whom they really like despite the fact his stock has slipped a tad
— they could very well pull the trigger. |
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For complete NFL draft coverage, get the print edition of Pro Football Weekly's 2001 Draft Preview
book. It's available at bookstores and newsstands across the country or you can call
1-800-FOOTBALL (1-800-366-8225) to order a copy. To order online, click here |
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