What letter grade would you give our different position groups after the 2016 season? A good way to gauge needs of the team.
Offense
-Quarterback: B. According to this year and recent history, Flacco has some games where he looks like an 'A' QB, and other games a 'C' QB. Wouldn't put him in the Brady, Brees, Rodgers category whatsoever, but I'd put him in the top 15. Keep in mind this was probably Flacco's worst season outside of his rookie year. Look at the teams that don't have a serviceable QB; it is proven you cannot win without a legit QB. However, if your team is good, a 'B' can get you by as long as you can run the ball, too! Ryan Mallet is a legit backup QB, but I expect him to be gone.
Running Back: A-. I really like the future RB situation with Dixon and West, with Dixon becoming our #1. With Dixon's combination of strength, agility, pass catching, etc. I think he will be a potential top 5 back in this league. Our OC needs to set our run game up for success though!
Wide Receiver: C-C+. In its current state our WR position leaks bleak. No more SSS... Mike Wallace is good, but kind of a one-trick pony. Perriman shows potential but still raw - not ready to be a true number one. Will he ever be? Doesn't separate from DB's well, but once he gets up to top speed he's deadly. Aiken is a good position WR, but I have a feeling he'll be gone. Campanero actually impresses me every time he plays! (Which is very rare). He's a true Welker/Edleman clone and I think could be a really good chain moving asset for Joe. In it's current state, giving the group a C is maybe being generous. However, we add Garcon or Stills and I'd give it a 'B'. Add Alshon Jeffery and I'll give it a solid 'B+.' Adding someone like Mike Williams in the draft would boost the grade big time too. Stills would give us some speedy WR's! (Wallace, Stills, Perriman, Camp).
Fullback: A. Kyle Juszczyk is the most dangerous FB offensively in the NFL; he's come a long way with his blocking too. Isn't afraid to square up on a MLB.
Offensive Tackle: A-. This grade applies IF we resign Wagner, which I believe is our number one priority. Brandon Williams probably will play for another team next year and get $$$$. Ronnie Stanley was a really solid LT for a rookie! He will only get better. Say it with me: "we have a franchise left tackle." Felt good, didn't it? Ricky Wagner always grades amazingly according to PFF; he's solid in the run game and passing game. I love Alex Lewis as a backup tackle who can also come in on jumbo packages. Get rid of James Hurst.
Guard: B+. This one was tricky... We have Marshall Yanda - the best guard in the NFL. Him playing on the left side this year helped Stanley develop, but it will be nice to have him back at his natural position next year. As far as left guard goes, we got some options...Ducasse was decent. Alex Lewis played well there and can be the starter next year. I love Ryan Jensen at guard, while I hate him at center. Urschel isn't a slouch either. We may even draft a new guard...but the moral of the story is, we got options.
Center: D: Let's face it. Jeremy Zuttah was our worst starting player this year, expect maybe when we had to Shareece Wright at CB. Eh, its a tossup. John Urschel is a decent backup, but still he's unproven. Look at the teams over the last 5 years that drafted a center high in the draft; those picks pay big dividends! The center anchors the line, needs to be athletic, and helps call protections. Look at our centers compared, to say, Travis Frederick from Dallas. We have nothing close to that. Luckily, this year's draft has great center talent! I love to upgrade that position in rounds 3-4.
Defense
Defensive Line: A-. You could make the argument that for 3-4 DL, we got the best in the NFL. Timmy Jernigan is very solid. Wish he would amass more sacks, but he's still disruptive and good against the run. On the other side, Guy is very serviceable, and Urban, Bronson Kaufusi healthy, and a healthy Willie Henry looks good on paper. I wouldn't be mad if we drafted another guy. As the NT position goes, we got the best in the NFL! Brandon Williams is a beast. However, like I mentioned before I think he'll be gone. Luckily Michael Pierce is almost Williams' clone. I expect him to make a bigger stride next year...lets see how he would hold up as a starter. Maybe have him play early downs and Carl Davis on passing downs?
Outside Linebacker: B. On paper, Suggs, Dumervil, Z. Smith, Correa, and Judon looks pretty solid. However, the reality is that Suggs and Dumervil don't have a whole lot more to offer. Suggs was very impactful at times this season, and Dumervil was coming off a torn Achilles. Z. Smith and Correa contributed next to nothing, and Judon shows really good potential. I have a feeling Dumervil is gone next year. I would like to see Z. Smith play some DE. But I am almost certain we'll draft an OLB/pass rusher in the first two rounds. So this position group has a lot of questions.
Inside Linebacker: A. I think Mosley and Orr are the best one-two punch at ILB in the whole league, outside of Carolina. Mosley made the Pro Bowl again, but I think Orr outplayed him all year! Great to see. I think we need to move McClain back to backup ILB and Correa is better at ILB than OLB at this point.
Cornerback: B. Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young? Yes please. The rest of our CB's...TRASH. Powers, Wright, Arrington, they all were bad. If we had Smith, Young in the slot, and a good rookie like say Sidney Jones, with some solid veteran depth I'd like it. We MUST bring in some more CB's, whether it be through the draft or free agency. We see how good we can be when Jimmy plays, and how screwed we are without him. I think he's our best player. Ozzie and Eric, please solidify this position.
Saftey: A-. Weddle and Webb I thought played really well this year! Especially compared to previous years. We were a top 5 defense this year I think as a result. Give them another year together and I think they'll be even better...especially Webb. Have Anthony Levine as depth is good. I think we'll actually retain Elam but on a one year deal. But please, don't ever have him as the deep safety! Playing around the line and covering TE's is more his suite.
Special Teams: A-. We get an 'A-' because we have the best kicker in the world, Pro Bowl long snapper in Morgan Cox, and a Pro Bowl punter in Koch (although he had a down year). Those three have amazing chemistry. Our coverage teams are good. Where we suck is at returner! I like Chris Moore as returner better than Hester. I like Campanero as a punt returner because he can catch the ball.