The biggest needs for every Super Bowl contender
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire)
April 30th, 2020
The five teams with the shortest odds to win the Super Bowl have fairly well-rounded rosters, but even the defending champion Chiefs, favored at +550, have some positions on the depth chart that could be upgraded.
Let’s dive into the post-draft needs of the Super Bowl favorites.
Odds to win Super Bowl LV
| Team | Super Bowl Odds |
|---|
Kansas City Chiefs | +550 |
Baltimore Ravens | +700 |
San Francisco 49ers | +900 |
New Orleans Saints | +1100 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1400 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have been front and center during the offseason, thanks to their acquisition of sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, but they’ve done surprisingly little to improve a woeful secondary.
Tampa’s defense surrendered 270.1 passing yards per game in 2019, the third-worst mark in the NFL. Their only move of consequence to address that situation was drafting safety Antoine Winfield Jr. of Minnesota in the second round.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have plugged some holes during the offseason. They replaced Teddy Bridgewater with Jameis Winston as Drew Brees’ backup, and Brees was afforded more protection with New Orleans’ first-round draft pick of center Cesar Ruiz.
One of the most intriguing projections to make in this draft is that of EDGE Zack Baun. At 235 pounds, he brings a lot to the table in terms of athletic ability and versatility. Terrific footwork helps him excel not only as a rusher, but he's also great in coverage!#WNSfilm pic.twitter.com/hI16nKNKBa
— Jake Graff (@jakegraff74) January 10, 2020
However, if the Saints still have one weak spot, it’s at linebacker. There is little roster depth behind Demario Davis and Kiko Alonso. Linebacker Zack Baun, New Orleans' third-round selection, could be a steal, but he will almost certainly need time to develop.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers allowed only 169.2 passing yards per game last year, the best mark in the league, but cornerback was still an area of need going into the Draft. Their top four corners — Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, Ahkello Witherspoon, and K’Waun Williams — all have expiring contracts.
San Francisco’s worries could be assuaged, if 2019 sixth-round pick Tim Harris lives up to general manager John Lynch’s expectations, after he missed all of last season, but that is wishful thinking.
Baltimore Ravens
NFL teams need solid quarterbacks, first and foremost, to win a Super Bowl, but a strong pass rush is almost as invaluable.
“Jaylon Ferguson, you don’t get more productive than him.”
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 27, 2019
📺: #NFLDraft | April 26-27 | NFL Network, ABC & ESPN pic.twitter.com/I3S0OdtP6q
The Ravens are entrusting 24-year-olds Jaylon Ferguson and Tyus Bowser to lead the way at outside linebacker in 2020. Barring any big free agent moves or trades, that’s a bold strategy for Baltimore.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had to let cornerback Kendall Fuller walk away, but they were counting on full seasons from Charvarius Ward and Bashaud Breeland when they made that decision. Unfortunately for the latter, he is now in some serious trouble.
Kansas City probably would have addressed the cornerback position sooner than the seventh round (Tulane’s Thakarius Keyes) had Breeland been arrested before the Draft.
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