With the draft only three days away, I wanted to release my final Big Board at our positions of need. These include safety, wide receiver, cornerback and middle linebacker.
I have decided to rank my players according to where we will most likely use our top two draft selections, so my linebacker rankings will be based more on value in the middle rounds, as I don't see us using either of our first two picks there.
I also eliminated right tackle, as we now have five players on the roster who are capable of handling the position for the near future.
Team Needs:
1 - Safety: Meriweather is the only starting-caliber safety on our roster, and the injury leaves question about his ability moving forward.
1a - Wide Receiver: An aging Santana Moss, and a disappointing sophomore season from Hankerson leaves plenty of question marks. Briscoe did nothing, and may not even make the team, and Aldrick Robinson is a flash in the pan. This area needs upgrading.
2 - Cornerback: The re-signing of Hall was big, but we still don't have a legitimate lock-down corner on the roster. It would be best if we can get a quality player this year, who we can begin to develop for 2014 and beyond.
3 - Linebacker: With Fletcher's retirement eminent, a young replacement is needed to groom. I love Robinson's potential at the position, but we need more depth.
Safety
Phillip Thomas
Bacarri Rambo
D.J. Swearinger
T.J. McDonald
Shamarko Thomas/Tony Jefferson
Wide Receiver
Justin Hunter
DeAndre Hopkins
Terrance Williams
Da'Rick Rogers
Quinton Patton /Ryan Swope
Cornerback
Jamar Taylor
Johnthan Banks
David Amerson
Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Robert Alford/Logan Ryan
Linebacker
Jon Bostic
A.J. Kline
Nico Johnson
Chase Thomas
Keith Pough
As a bonus, I am going to throw in some hidden gems for the later rounds.
Dominick Reyes SS Stony Brook - you all know this guy by now, and I think he'd be a great late round/undrafted free agent pickup.
William Hollis MLB - Hollis had the opportunity to play ball at some bigger D1 programs, but family issues forced him to stay at a smaller DII school. He is currently playing in the arena league to keep his skills sharpened.
Mike Mauti MLB PSU - Team captain, and vocal leader of the Penn State defense. The knee injury knocked him from the second round. He'd be worth the gamble if he checks out medically.
Steve Demilio OT Gardner Webb - Demilio is a versatile offensive linemen who can play both guard and tackle, and excels in a zone blocking system.