2010 NFL Predictions: 10 Teams Chasing No. 1 Pick in 2011 Draft

By (Featured Columnist) on September 5, 2010

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03:  Head coach Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after losing to the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on January 3, 2010 in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

It's never fun to be a bottom-dwelling team.

A losing culture just doesn't do well for team morale and fan loyalty.

On the bright side, teams can find themselves with a top pick in the draft.

And if they're lucky, really lucky, they can net a franchise player who will turn around their misfortunes.

Here are 10 teams chasing the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 02:  Brock Bolen #44 of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks the tackle of Raphael Bush #36 of the Atlanta Falcons to score a touchdown during a preseason game at EverBank Field on September 2, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida.  (Phot
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

There's a lot of pressure on David Garrard to finally deliver as the quarterback for the Jaguars.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker are their two best offensive weapons.

But there remains several question marks with their defense.  Either Jacksonville finally makes the playoffs with their offense or they could fold again because of their inexperienced defense.

9. Seattle Seahawks

SEATTLE - AUGUST 21:  Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks congratulates players after the Seahawks scored a touchdown in the first half during the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washi
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Pete Carroll turned around the USC program and was responsible for lifting them to elite status in college football.

Though many expect him to do the same in Seattle, Carroll's impact won't immediately be felt in his first season.

By cutting T.J. Houshmanzadeh, he's already trying to instill a youth movement with the Seahawks. 

He's serious about spearheading the turnaround after investing a second-round draft pick in a trade for quarterback-of-the-future Charlie Whitehurst.

Meanwhile, Matt Hasselbeck will be throwing to Deion Branch and Mike Williams to start the season. And their running game is in flux.

8. Denver Broncos

DENVER - JANUARY 22:  A lone dejected Fan of the Denver Broncos remains in the stands following the Broncos 34-17 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Championship Game January 22, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.  (P
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Gone are Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler.

With Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter's early training camp problems, their running game could disappear with one injury.

Orton and his receivers need to find some consistency.

The Broncos were 8-8 last season, but they started the season 6-0 and ended the year 2-8.

Was that 6-0 start a fluke, and the 2-8 record afterward a true reflection of the team?

Perhaps, and that could mean more problems in Denver.

The bright side, Tim Tebow is now on the team. And the Tebow factor will surely drive fans into the stadium.

7. Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 02:  Travis Daniels #34 and Justin Cole #57 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after stopping a final drive during the game against the Green Bay Packers on September 2, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.  (P
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Aside from running back Jamaal Charles, there were not that many players on this team who impressed last season.

Dwayne Bowe is their only experienced wide receiver, and Matt Cassell struggled at times as their starting quarterback.

So what can we expect from the Chiefs this year?

More of the same. 

6. Oakland Raiders

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 02:  Two fans watch the Seattle Seahawks and the Oakland Raiders NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 2, 2010 in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Yes, those are Raider fans sitting in the stands.

Oakland led the league, last season, with the lowest attendance average of all 32 teams.

After disposing of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Jason Campbell is now their starter and that's considered to be an improvement.

The Raiders should have a chance to win more than five games this year.

5. Detroit Lions

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02:  Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the start of the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Leon Halip/Getty Images

Consider this Lions fans, two seasons ago you had an all-time worst 0-16 record, and they were 2-14 in 2009.

Now, Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh are part of the team.  Better days are definitely in the future with those two in the fold.

The Lions should feel good about their new, young and talented pieces.  Four wins in one season, could be possible!

Hang in there. Another year or so of futility and you'll be playoff contenders.

4. Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Chris Jennings #34 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball up field against the Chicago Bears during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bears 13-10. (Ph
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

It's the first year of the Mike Holmgren era.

And he's watching Eric Mangini carefully, who surprisingly retained his job.  We know Holmgren is not afraid to make changes.

But this team is young and still unproven. 

Seeing them improve upon a five-win season from last year is possible but not likely.

3. Tampa Bay Bucaneers

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 02:  Quarterback Rudy Carpenter #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands in the pocket as he is pressured by defensive ends Jesse Nading #72 and Connor Barwin #98 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Houston,
Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Bucs added two talented DTs in the draft.

And they're flooded with a lot of young and inexperienced talent at almost every single position.

That just doesn't add up to immediate success.

Tampa Bay has a better chance of finishing the season among the bottom five in the NFL than breaking out this year.

2. St. Louis Rams

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Thaddeus Lewis #12 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL preseason game at the Edward Jones Dome on September 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri.  The Rams beat the Ravens 27-21.  (Photo by Dilip Vish
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Rams added a potential franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford with the first pick in the NFL draft.

But he can't be expected to turn things around immediately for this franchise, especially if he doesn't have any top-flight receivers. Aside from Steven Jackson, there are little offensive threats on this team.

Their defense is also young and needs time to mature.

St. Louis is going through a rebuilding year this year, and everyone in the league knows it.

1. Buffalo Bills

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 02:  Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey watches the action during the fouth quarter of the preseason game at Ford Field on September 2, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Bills 28-23.  (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
Leon Halip/Getty Images

It's been a decade since the Bills last made the playoffs.  And things still aren't looking up in Buffalo.

Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback simply doesn't bode well for this team. 

They also have a young group of offensive linemen which will struggle through growing pains this year.

Expect them to be overpowered by plenty of stronger opponents.

Top-draft choicoe, runningback C.J. Spiller is the only bright spot in their future.

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