Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

New England Patriots Need to Plan O-Line Around Possible Departure of Logan Mankins

Per NFL rules, teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects for a visit to their facilities. Of the 30 scheduled to visit with the New England Patriots, only three are offensive linemen.

Peculiar to say the least, considering Bill Belichick may be in danger of losing the left side of his offensive line once the lockout ends and player transactions can resume. As outlined in the Boston Globe, guard Logan Mankins is currently at odds with the organization over terms of a new contract, while tackle Matt Light is a free agent unlikely to be retained.

In the case of the Pro Bowler Mankins, it seems like his tenure in New England is on borrowed time, which would necessitate drafting an interior lineman next month. According to The Globe, if no team satisfies New England’s demands for a trade involving Mankins once a new CBA is reached, he will play 2011 for a franchise amount of $10.1 million, a price the thrifty Patriots would just as soon avoid.

So, what to do? Well, of the three offensive linemen the Pats extended invitations to, one was former Florida guard/center Mike Pouncey, brother of current Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey.

Like Maurkice, Mike Pouncey is as gifted and versatile as they come, serving as a guard along Florida’s before sliding over to center upon his brother’s departure after the 2009 season. Guard seems to be Pouncey’s calling at the next level, but seeing that Pats starting center Dan Koppen is 31, he could find himself following in his brother’s footsteps.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens Enter Draft With Large Free Agent Class

The Baltimore Ravens slapped a franchise tag on defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, but it may stick only as long as the absence of a new collective bargaining agreement may allow.

For the Ravens, Ngata’s uncertain fate is merely symbolic of the murkiness currently shrouding a roster covered with potential free agents, made worse by the lockout and inability for any team to negotiate contracts.

According to ESPN.com AFC North blogger James Walker, Baltimore’s free agent class for 2011 includes not only Ngata, but corners Josh Wilson and Chris Carr, safety Dawan Landry, fullback Le’Ron McClain, and offensive tackle Jared Gaither.

Accordingly, the upcoming draft is crucial for head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome.

First and foremost, the Ravens need to restock within the secondary, where potential free-agent departures could further weaken a unit that sprung leaks in 2010.

Miami’s Brandon Harris or Texas’ Aaron Williams are the two best corners available behind Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, and either would be an option for Baltimore at pick No. 26. UCLA’s Rahim Moore is worthy of a look at safety, possibly as a successor to the aging Ed Reed.

Offensively, the Ravens could use some quality reinforcements along the offensive line in preparation for the imminent departures of Gaither and center Matt Birk.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Indianapolis Colts Invite Former TCU Quarterback To Private Workout

Peyton Manning is 35 years old, but the guy isn’t exactly slowing down.

But for the Colts, it’s never too soon to plan for life after the future Hall of Famer.

With the 22^nd pick in the draft, Indianapolis is guaranteed to miss out on the premiere prospects of this year’s quarterback class, but team officials have plenty of options when it comes to uncovering a viable backup and maybe, just maybe, Manning’s eventual successor.

Citing ESPN.com, Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday that former TCU quarterback Andy Dalton worked out privately for vice president and general manager Chris Polian and head coach Jim Caldwell on Monday.

Could Dalton possibly one day fill the shoes of Peyton, who is entering his 14^th season? That’s impossible to decipher, but there’s plenty to like about the potential Dalton possesses as a secondary option for the immediate future.

Dalton isn’t as physically imposing as Manning, but he won 42 games as a starter at TCU and arguably is as effective a game manager as any quarterback in the draft.

Even more, as it stands now, Dalton may have more talent than anyone behind Manning on the Indianapolis roster, including backup Curtis Painter, who has been as ineffective as any of the other players who have played behind the perennial Pro Bowler.

According to NFL.com senior columnist Vic Carucci, of the five players who have backed up Manning, only Jim Sorgi has thrown for more than 83 yards. Sorgi threw for 929 yards and six scores as Manning’s backup from 2004-09.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Kansas Chiefs May Go Offense After Initially Addressing Needs On Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs, having made the playoffs last season with a young roster, have the look of an up-and-coming team, but this draft will be crucial if success is to be sustained.

Free agency, whenever it kicks in, threatens to pry away starters from both sides of the ball, leaving holes on the offensive line and especially in the front seven, where tackle Ron Edwards and outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Mike Vrabel could depart.

Defense may be the order of the first round for the Chiefs, but as the Kansas City Star’s Adam Teicher writes, the team could easily target a wide receiver as early as the second round.

“The Chiefs might like to draft a wide receiver in the first round but there will be no first-round talent available to them when they make their initial choice,” Teicher opines. “So they will have to wait until round two to fill this need, one big enough it can wait no longer. [Leonard] Hankerson, of Miami, is a good choice at this spot.

“Like most young receivers, Hankerson will take some time to fully develop. Once he does, the Chiefs should have a dangerous receiver to pair with Dwayne Bowe.”

That’s a lofty expectation, but if I suppose if you were to compose a list of coaching tandems to develop a wide receiver, the combination of Todd Haley and Charlie Weis would be somewhere near the top.

for gap maintenance in the 3-4, and also agile enough to rush the quarterback off the edge.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

San Diego Chargers Reportedly Visited With Akeem Ayers

In what can only be described a statistical anomaly, the San Diego Chargers missed the playoffs last season, despite leading the league in both total offense and total defense.

By the numbers it would seem the Chargers are without any major flaws, but the numbers would be wrong.

Aside from the void in the receiving corps that could potentially be left by free agents-to-be Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd, San Diego needs to add youth at various points on the defensive roster, most imperatively at end and outside linebacker.

And by the look of things, that’s where team officials are revving up their efforts in preparation for the draft.

According to ESPN.com AFC West blogger Bill Williamson, who cited a source close to UCLA, former Bruins linebacker Akeem Ayers recently visited with San Diego. Ayers, who is expected to be selected in the second half of the first round, fits the mold of an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, which the Chargers run.

Should San Diego swing and miss on Ayers, a viable option could be Muhammad Wilkerson, a rapidly rising defensive prospect from Temple. At 6’4”, 315 pounds, Wilkerson is strong enough for gap maintenance in the 3-4, and also agile enough to rush the quarterback off the edge.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

New England Patriots Likely to Find Pass Rusher With First of Two Picks in First Round

The only thing worse than a young secondary is an inconsistent pass rush. And unfortunately for the Patriots last season, the two went hand in hand.

Bill Belichick’s starting defensive backfield averaged 24 years of age in 2010, as a bevy of green defenders were often caught out of position, often leading to a number of big days for opposing quarterbacks.

In all, the Patriots surrendered an average of 258 yards through the air, but some of the blame has to be shared by a front seven that produced 36 sacks, good for a modest ranking of 14^th.

Are corrections on the way? You can bet they are, especially considering the Patriots have two first-round selections. But they won’t be in the secondary.

As Clark Judge of CBSSports.com notes, the interior of the defensive line is still in good hands with Vince Wilfork and the newly acquired, albeit 33-year-old, Marcus Stroud. But the Pats need someone that instills fear in offensive tackles. Purdue Ryan Kerrigan’s name has been brought up, but questions about his athleticism and ability to play in the space of a 3-4 scheme are still out there.

An option for New England would be to trade its second first-round pick in order to move up to acquire a hybrid type, either Aldon Smith or Von Miller, but the franchise isn’t exactly frugal with its draft picks. Forget that option.

In the end, Kerrigan wouldn’t be a bad selection, but people seem to be higher on Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt or even Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward, both of whom are bigger and more physical at the point of attack and rush the passer well.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Aldon Smith
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Jacksonville Jaguars Ranked Near Bottom In Sacks Last Season

Thirtieth, to be precise.

Only two teams in the NFL last season recorded fewer sacks than the Jaguars, who will undoubtedly try to bolster the pass rush with the 16^th pick in the draft. But with who?

ESPN’s Todd McShay says Missouri’s Aldon Smith is a safe bet:

Smith is a developmental prospect with excellent pass rushing potential who could provide production on passing downs as a rookie while being groomed to become Aaron Kampman's replacement. Jacksonville clearly has more pressing needs in the defensive backfield and at linebacker (particularly WLB and MLB), but no prospect at any of those positions is worth taking with this pick.

I agree that Smith is raw. Having basically played only two years of ball in college, Smith, a redshirt sophomore, has a lot of learning to do in terms of technique, particularly against the run. His maturation process is a big caveat, but one that can certainly take a back seat to his natural athleticism and talent.

But I’m not so sure — and this is where McShay and I differ — that Smith is any less of a project than UCLA's Akeem Ayers or Georgia’s Justin Houston, both of whom would aid the pass rush while filling a need for Jacksonville at outside linebacker, a position which McShay insists the Jaguars desperately need an upgrade.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Mark Ingram
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Miami Dolphins Could Move Down To Improve Options

Take a moment to peruse the Web for various mock drafts, and you’re sure to detect a theme: The Miami Dolphins selecting Alabama running back Mark Ingram 15^th overall.

It’s a safe pick and one that fills an immediate need for the Dolphins’ offense, which sorely needs some youth in its backfield. The pick is nothing more than simple logic.

Just ask Mel Kiper, because, well, he’s Mel Kiper:

“Miami just makes sense for Ingram,” Kiper said recently, according to the Miami Herald. “The kid runs with great determination, vision and balance. Good burst. Can he be very good? Yes. He doesn’t have so-called game-breaking speed, but they said the same thing about Emmitt Smith. He’s a producer.”

Still, don’t rule out a little wheeling and dealing from general manager Jeff Ireland, who sacrificed a second-round pick a year ago to acquire Brandon Marshall.

Ireland very well may decide to pursue trading down with a team that’s hot after a premiere defensive lineman. In that case, the Dolphins could still be at least a tad hopeful of landing Ingram while obtaining an extra pick in perhaps the second round.

If the Dolphins miss out on Ingram as the result of a trade, quarterback and offensive line are areas of need.

The confidence meter doesn’t seem to be swaying in Chad Henne’s direction, so taking a bit of a flier on Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, or Andy Dalton wouldn’t be the worst move. From there, the plan for the second round could be to select Illinois’ Mikel Leshoure as the draft’s second-best running back prospect, as well as a guard to sure up the interior of the offensive line, alongside tackle Jake Long.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Von Miller
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Houston Texans Trying To Fill Holes Under New Coordinator

Good luck, Wade Phillips.

You were fired by Jerry Jones. Now, your job is to reconstruct one of the worst defenses in the history of the NFL. I suppose moving to a 3-4 would be the best logical start, considering even the slightest change would help, particularly in regards to the pass defense.

Houston allowed a league-worst 267 yards per game and 33 passing touchdowns a season ago, so yeah, there’s work to be done.

But, believe it or not, the project may not begin with the defensive line or secondary, but the linebacking corps, at least according to the Sporting News’ John McClain.

McClain contends that the switch to the 3-4 necessitates the Texans score a playmaker at linebacker, preferably Von Miller from Texas A&M. Of course, since he tested off the charts, Miller’s stock has soared, meaning Phillips will likely have to look elsewhere for his prized linebacker.

“They [the Texans] need a player opposite him [starting outside linebacker Connor Barwin] who can apply consistent pressure,” McClain writes. “Texas A and M’s Von Miller would be ideal, but the Texans would have to sacrifice too much to trade up to get him.

“North Carolina’s Robert Quinn and Missouri’s Aldon Smith are other first-round candidates.”

I can’t speak much for Quinn, only to say that he may be a bit more seasoned at this stage than Smith, whom I watched extensively the past two years. That said, Smith, who only began playing organized football less than five years ago, may have the bigger upside.

Either way, Phillips has to make sure he’s getting a player who can not only provide the pass rush with a threat off the edge, but one who’s athletic enough to play in space in both run and pass support.

 For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Tennessee Titans Could Throw Common Sense Out the Window

In his latest mock draft on March 16, ESPN’s Todd McShay predicted the Tennessee Titans would select Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley with the No. 8 pick, thereby ignoring the huge void at quarterback left by Vince Young.

If you have faith in Chris Simms, Rusty Smith, or a 38-year-old Kerry Collins, the presumptive starter, the pick is fine. Otherwise, then no, not so much.

Per McShay on Fairley:

Fairley is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in this year's class. On one hand he's the best interior pass rusher in the class, but on the other he takes a lot of plays off and there are plenty of questions about his football character. The more teams we talk to the more concern there are about how he has interviewed, and that's why he's falling in a lot of recent mock drafts. Fairley's quickness and athletic ability might be a worthwhile risk at this point, but given Tennessee's history with first-round picks like Vince Young and Adam "Pacman" Jones, it won't be surprising if they go with a safer pick.

McShay’s evaluation is littered with red flags concerning Fairley. The lone qualifier is that Fairley could wind up being an excellent player. If you’re willing to take on that sort of risk, do so at the most important position.

My suggestion for the Titans is to trade up for a quarterback, perhaps with Denver, which has already been discussed here. If you have to play Collins, fine. But during that time, let either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert get his feet wet.

If you miss out on a defensive tackle in the first round, so be it. Depending on what picks the Titans would ship off in any potential deal, there’s value to be had at defensive tackle in the early and middle rounds.

Corey Liuget would be the ideal choice behind Fairley and Marcell Dareus, but he won’t be around, which leaves Baylor’s Phil Taylor, Oregon State’s Stephen Paea, North Carolina’s Marvin Austin, and LSU’s Drake Nevis as candidates.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Patrick Peterson
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Cleveland Browns Should Stray From Consensus of Taking Skill Player

The numbers indicate the Browns could use some offensive punch: 29^th in total offense and 31^st in points per game last season.

But there’s upside. Colt McCoy appears to be more than a viable option at quarterback, and when he gets going north and south, running back Peyton Hillis is one of the league’s best. Seemingly, the only thing missing is a legitimate threat on the outside, a receiver capable of tearing vertical seams in the defense.

Once again, the numbers: The Browns averaged 6.7 yards per pass last season, which seems like an adequate mark. But not when you consider Cleveland only attempted 478 passes, 12 fewer than Chicago, which ranked last.

When the Browns’ sixth pick rolls around, the odds are good A.J. Green and Julio Jones — the draft’s two most-coveted receivers — will both still be on the board. But Cleveland’s glaring lack of a difference-maker on the outside doesn’t necessarily justify picking either one.

With Carolina and Arizona heavily considering selecting quarterbacks with the first and fifth picks, respectively, Cleveland could find itself in position to draft corner Patrick Peterson, who ranks higher than either of the aforementioned receivers according to just about every service out there.

Aside from Peterson, the Browns should have eyes on an impact defensive lineman, according to the Sporting News' Steve Doerschuk, who insists Cleveland should first replenish what has become a very thin area.

The secondary is by no means Cleveland’s largest area of need, but Peterson is a franchise type player, and he’s shown the ability to stay healthy — something neither Green nor Jones has done. Plus, while this year’s class of receivers may be considered thinner than in past years, the Browns can still get plenty of value in the second round, where Jonathan Baldwin or Leonard Hankerson could be available.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals Planning For Life Without Carson Palmer

With the fourth pick in the upcoming draft, the Cincinnati Bengals are in prime position to snag one of the top quarterback prospects.

Question is, by the time the next NFL season rolls around, will they have necessarily needed to draft one? Well, that depends.

Carson Palmer is technically still a Bengal, but he seems content on walking out of town — either on his own volition or as a result of a trade. Either way, Cincinnati is facing a search for a new quarterback.

That said, why not Kevin Kolb, whom ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports is drawing interest from the Bengals as an alternative to an unproven commodity in the draft? Seems like an ideal fit, especially considering Kolb’s former quarterbacks coach, James Urban, is now the receivers coach in Cincinnati.

Landing Kolb would obviously eliminate the necessity of having to draft a quarterback, at least within the first three or four rounds. But, as Cincinnati Inquirer beat writer Joe Reedy acknowledges, there are snags to any potential deal, not the least of which is the fact the current labor dispute has put an indefinite freeze on all trades.

“There is an extremely good chance that the trading period will not start until after the draft,” Reedy writes. “If the Bengals take a quarterback in the first two rounds that alone would probably take them out of the running.”

Compounding the matter is whether Philadelphia’s Andy Reid would even be willing to risk trading his backup quarterback, as well as the steep asking price Reid would demand from the Bengals, which, Reedy says, could be paid by any number of other teams in pursuit of a quarterback outside the draft.

“With all of that said the Bengals should be in the discussions to acquire Kolb since the consensus is he has a bigger upside than any of the quarterbacks in this year’s class,” Reedy notes. “However when you consider this franchise’s history with trades and reluctance to trade draft picks for players the odds are pretty steep.”

Can’t say I can argue with that assessment.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Da'Quan Bowers
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Buffalo Bills Likely To Seek Help For Unit Ranked 24^th in Total Defense A Season Ago

Suffice it to say the Bills have options with the No. 3 pick.

Allowing 26.6 points per game, Buffalo was one of the league’s worst defenses in 2010, but help is plentiful in this year’s draft.

The only problem may be deciding which player to take at which position.

Do the Bills go with ultra-athletic corner Patrick Peterson, who doubles as an option on kickoff and punt returns? Or will the front office sure up what was the NFL’s worst run defense, selecting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus as a stalwart along the defensive line for years to come?

Perhaps the answer lies at defensive end, where as many as eight players could come off the board in the first round.

Two of those players — California’s Cameron Jordan and North Carolina’s Robert Quinn —met with Buffalo officials Tuesday, as reported by the team’s official Web site.

This isn’t the first time the Bills staff has seen Jordan, who was evaluated by several teams during the week of practices leading up the Senior Bowl in January. Reportedly, Buffalo is intrigued by Jordan’s versatility of playing in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

“My motto is draft me, and I’ll play anywhere,” Jordan told the site. “I don’t care where I play. I just want to be on a team. I want to play football and that’s what I love doing. So that’s what I hope to continue doing.”

Though 20 pounds lighter than Jordan, Quinn (6’4”, 265) is also seen as a player who could provide the Bills with some much-needed speed on the edge, having recorded 11 sacks and six forced fumbles as a sophomore in 2009.

Also expected to visit Buffalo on Tuesday is former Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bowers is considered to be the draft’s top defensive end prospect.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Denver Broncos May Trade Down And Pursue Quarterback As Early As Second Round

Denver Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway knows a thing or two about quarterbacks.

But would the Hall of Famer really be willing to trade Denver’s No. 2 pick in favor moving down in the draft, all for the sole purpose of selecting a quarterback in the second round?

ESPN.com’s John Clayton believes it to be a possibility for Elway and the Broncos, who may attempt to entice a handful of quarterback-starved teams with the promise of one of the top prospects in the draft:

I'm starting to think Elway might take a QB in the second round and call the Tebow selection a mistake. That interest creates tantalizing possibilities on draft day and thereafter. Thinking that Cam Newton can go No. 1 to Carolina, the Broncos could entice a team such as Tennessee to trade up to the No. 2 spot to get Blaine Gabbert. The Broncos could then take a quarterback in the second round and eventually trade [Kyle] Orton for a second-round pick in 2012.

This scenario isn’t altogether crazy. It’s becoming apparent that Elway doesn’t feel entirely confident with either Orton or Tebow as the long-term solution at quarterback. Should the Broncos retain the second overall pick, they are almost guaranteed to go defense. Even if they opt to trade down, things don’t change much.

Denver can still obtain an impact player with, say, Tennessee’s pick at No. 8, but a trade with the Titans could mean an extra selection in the second round, which then could be used on a Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, or Andy Dalton.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft, visit Bleacher Report’s Draft Hub.