[Rain Man]

I still need to add some training camp fodder, but right now my depth chart looks like this (rookies in red):

QB
Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Geno Smith (Jets)
Tyler Wilson (Raiders)
Mark Sanchez (Jets)
QB Chase Daniel 3 years
Jimmy Clausen (Panthers)*

Wilson is certainly a pro bowl find at QB, and I hope he maintains his performance. I have a couple of developmental prospects behind him, most likely. We'll see if Sanchez and Daniel can compete for a spot.

HB
Jamaal Charles*
C.J. Spiller. (Bills)*
Denard Robinson (Jaguars)
Shaun Draughn
Nate Eachus

High quality here with two star pro bowl running backs, and Robinson will handle my return duties. Draughn and Eachus will battle for a roster spot.

FB/H-Back
Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
FB Ryan D'Imperio
Peyton Hillis

Most likely Kelce, but if D'Imperio makes a good showing I could move Kelce back to TE.

WR
Dwayne Bowe*
Kendall Wright (Titans)
WR Donnie Avery 3 years
Leonard Hankerson (Redskins)
WR Mardy Gilyard
Greg Salas (Rams)
Steve Breaston - WR

I like my starters in Bowe and Wright, and Avery will fit right into the slot. Hankerson is a good fourth receiver and we'll have a battle at the bottom for a roster spot.

TE
Tony Gonzalez (Falcons)
Anthony Fasano
Kevin Brock
Kevin Boss
Steve Maneri

Obviously strong here with a pro bowler starting, though I need a succession plan. Kelce is most likely that plan, and Fasano will be a good backup. I like what's happening here.

OT
Branden Albert*
Menelik Watson (Raiders)
Bruce Campbell (Raiders/Panthers)*
Eric Winston - RT
OL Tommie Draheim

Depending on what happens with Winston, I'm thin here. I'll be starting a rookie and my backup isn't exactly proven, though I can also slide Scwartz out. Albert is a rock, though. This may be the weak link of my offense.

G
Wade Smith*
Alex Boone (49ers)*
Jason Pinkston (Browns)
Geoff Schwartz
Lilja, Ryan
Brian Waters*

Good talent and depth. Wade was a pro bowler last year. No problems at all here.

C
Rodney Hudson (Chiefs)

I hope he develops. Worst case, if he doesn't or if he gets hurt I can move Wade Smith easily into this position. He and Watson will be the two starters to watch.

K
Alex Henery (Eagles)

Perfectly fine.

P
Dustin Colquitt*

Pro bowler.

FS
Kendrick Lewis*
Baccari Rambo (Redskins)
Charles Mitchell (Falcons)
S Hasain Abdullah
Travis Daniels*

I really wanted to upgrade this position with a strong starter, but couldn't justify it. Rambo may challenge a bit, but otherwise Kendrick will last until I can upgrade.

SS
Reshad Jones (Dolphins)*
Abram Elam
Tysyn Hartman - DB

I'm very strong here as Jones is a rising star. Depth? Meh.

CB
Brandon Flowers*
Alphonso Dennard (Patriots)
CB Sean Smith
D.J. Moore (Bears)*
Jordan Poyer (Eagles)
CB Dunta Robinson
Stanford Routt

I really like this position even though it's not star-studded. Flowers will lock down one side, and then I'm going to have a battle royale between the rest of them to get the other starting job and the nickel and dime slots.

OLB
Tamba Hali*
Zach Brown (Titans)
LB Frank Zombo
Chris Carter (Steelers)
Dekoda Watson (Buccaneers)*
Andy Studebaker*
LB Chad Kilgore

I wasn't sure what to do with this unit. Hali is a strong starter and Zach Brown had a great rookie season. It's pretty journeyman behind them, but I think it's reasonable.

ILB
Derrick Johnson*
Rey Maualuga (Bengals)*
AJ Klein (Panthers)
Brandon Siler - ILB

I like Klein as a backup and my starters are strong. I wouldn't mind if Klein challenged Maualuga for a starting job if we go 3-4.

DE
DE Mike DeVito
Da'Quan Bowers (Buccaneers)
Ropati Pitoitua
Ronnell Lewis (Lions)
Jonathan Massaquoi (Falcons)

I desperately wanted to upgrade this unit, but it didn't work out. If we go 3-4 I'll put Devito out there along with Star Lotulelei. If we go 4-3, my hope is that Bowers is up to a starting job. I've been patient with him and I need him to deliver on his pass rush potential. I have depth here even if it's not wow.


NT
Star Lotulelei (Panthers)
Brandon Williams (Ravens)
Jesse Williams (Seahawks)
Alex Carrington (Bills)*
Anthony Toribio
DT Marcus Dixon
Ron Edwards*

This was obviously an area of emphasis, and my goal was to get guys who could run in a 4-3 or 3-4. All of my rookies can be a DT in the 3-4 or the 4-3, and I can move Star out to DE in a 3-4. We'll see how training camp goes. My hope is that this influx of talented rookies will solve my DT problem.


Overall, it's coming together well. I have pro bowlers on offense at QB, HB, HB, TE, and LG, and no gaping holes despite a little concern at C and RT. My P is a pro bowler and my K is good.

And my defense, which really needed some help, got an infusion of talent, particularly on the line. If Bowers looks promising at DE I may go 4-3, or if not, I'll go 3-4 with Star out at DE. I could be stronger at DE and FS, and I'm relying on rookies to deliver at NT, but I feel pretty good about my LBs, CBs, and SS. I have two pro bowlers on defense in Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali.

Only two NFL teams put more pro bowlers on the field last year, and I'm infusing a lot of talent. I like where this season is headed.