2011 NFL Draft Grades: 5 Offenses Who Got a Big Boost from Draft

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2011 NFL Draft Grades Ponder the Most Improved Offenses After Draft

As we sift through the 2011 NFL Draft, trying to make head or tails of just what was going on, our attention invariably shifts to the realm of improvement on either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.

Typically, teams come into the draft looking to improve their fortunes on one side of the ball or the other (or, in the case of the Panthers, on both), and typically, they achieve their goal, to some degree.

With plenty of teams in the market for help on offense this year, which teams will see the biggest boost in scoring next season from the picks they made this year? Whose picks will help get teams closer to becoming an offensive juggernaut, on par with the Colts, Patriots and Packers?

Here are five candidates whose picks figure to improve their offensive fortunes next season:

5. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts learned a valuable lesson last season: with no offensive line, even Peyton Manning struggles at times. Fortunately, in Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ilajana, Indy found players who can keep their star safe, while also giving them their first running game since the Edgerrin James era ended.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Suddenly, it's not just the Matt Ryan/Roddy White/ Michael Turner show in Atlanta. By grabbing Julio Jones sixth overall (and paying a king's ransom in draft picks for him) and super elusive back Jacquizz Rodgers in Round 5, the Falcons suddenly have multiple weapons on which they can rely. With weapons like the Falcons have, be ready for some shootouts in 2011-12.

3. Cleveland Browns: Things are changing slowly but surely in Cleveland. They didn't get Julio Jones or A.J. Green, but they did manage to add a potential playmaking wideout in Greg Little, a potential-laden tight end in high flyer Jordan Cameron, and a bit of offensive line and pass blocking help in lineman Jason Pinkston and fullback Owen Marecic. This team will be much better offensively than they were last year.

Must Read: 2011 NFL Draft Grades: Report Cards for the First Three Rounds.

2. New Orleans Saints: Wow, it's amazing how much brighter things look now that you actually have complementary running backs to go along with your unstoppable passing attack. Mark Ingram and Reggie Bush look like a match made in running back corps heaven: the big, bruising downhill runner in Ingram, and the elusive, deceptive, blazing quick back in Bush. Look for the Saints to score even more on everyone than they have in the past.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: When you replace two aging, whiny wideouts in Terrell Owens and a fragile, gun-shy quarterback in Carson Palmer with promising wideout A.J. Green and potential-laden passer Andy Dalton, suddenly, things look a lot more potent at Paul Brown Stadium. This revamp was a brilliant one for the Bengals, who even managed to improve the offensive line in the process.

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