2012 NFL Draft Projections: What Each Playoff Team Must Pursue in First Round

While making the playoffs is a nice goal that all of these teams achieved, they are all going to need to get much better to get back and improve. 

Fortunately, the help will be there in April's draft. The teams just can't squander the opportunities that will be there. Let's take a look at what needs each playoff team must immediately address in the first round of the draft. 

The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints do not have first-round picks. 

Cincinnati Bengals (Picks No. 17 and 21)

Outside of A.J. Green, the Bengals don't have much of an offensive punch. They need to fix that with both of their picks. 

One option would be to trade into the top 10 to pursue Trent Richardson. According to Walters Football, that would cost them the No. 17 pick and a second-rounder. But they are better off staying as is, drafting a receiver and a back like Lamar Miller. 

With a receiver to line up opposite Green and a back like Miller, the Bengals would have the makeup to challenge Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North. 

Projection: No.17 Alshon Jeffery, No. 21 Lamar Miller

Detroit Lions (Pick No. 23)

The Lions were 23rd in the NFL in rushing defense last year. If they are ever going to get the most out of their front four, they will need a better group of linebackers. 

Otherwise, teams will use the over-pursuing defensive line against the Lions and run all over them, just like opponents did in 2011. 

Projection: Luke Kuechly

Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick No. 24)

Fortunately, the Steelers have very few needs, other than to get healthier. A part of that will come by drafting younger players on defense to keep the older ones fresh for the playoff push. 

Pittsburgh needs to draft a pass-rusher. They can groom that player to take the job over when guys like James Harrison and Brett Keisel (both 33) have to retire. 

Projection: Dont'a Hightower

Denver Broncos (Pick No. 25)

Tim Tebow has earned another year as a starter and no quarterback will be worth taking in this spot. The Broncos need to draft a run-stopper. That can come in the form of a linebacker, defensive tackle or even a defensive back, but it needs to happen. 

Denver's run defense was 22nd in the NFL a season ago. With their offense, the defense will need to be better at controlling the field-position battle. They can't count on winning the division at 8-8 next year. Fixing that gap would go a long way in getting the Broncos towards being a 10-win team. 

Projection: Mark Barron

Houston Texans (Pick No. 26)

The Texans are similar to the Steelers in that health is their primary need. A close second would be to draft a receiver to line up on the other side of Andre Johnson. 

When he was out this season, their offensive woes were exposed. The Texans have a lot of offensive talent, but not a lot of depth. They need to find a receiver who will take some of the defense's attention away from Johnson. With that, this is a good Super Bowl bet for next season.

Projection: Mohamed Sanu

New England Patriots (Picks No. 27 and 31/32)

If the Patriots drafted two defensive backs, I wouldn't argue for a second. Still, they have to go after one defensive back and another pass-rusher. 

While teams passed a lot against the Patriots in 2011, they were only 14th in the league in sacks. They were 31st in the league in opponents' passing yards per game, meaning that teams were not afraid to air it out. When teams pass that much, the sacks should be a lot more frequent. 

They need to draft a defensive back in to allow fewer yards, but also a rusher to make teams pay when they do pass. 

Projection: No. 27 Jamell Fleming, No. 31 or 32 Zach Brown

Green Bay Packers (Pick No. 28)

Much like the Patriots, the Packers need to find someone to get to the quarterback. The only team that allowed more passing yards than New England in 2011 was Green Bay. Still, their 29 sacks were only good enough for 16th in the league. 

With a defensive end that attacks the quarterback, the passing-yardage-allowed numbers would be nowhere near as bad. Teams need to have a reason to not pass against the Packers. With a better rush, that will change in 2012. 

Projection: Melvin Ingram

Baltimore Ravens (Pick No. 29)

Whether Baltimore keeps Ray Rice or not, they are still a team whose offense is dependent on the run, mixing in the occasional deep ball.

That starts with a strong interior line, which the Ravens don't always have. Peter Konz is going to be ready to step in and make an impact in the NFL immediately. As a center, he'll fall down the draft board, but the Ravens can't let him fall beyond them. 

Projection: Peter Konz

San Francisco 49ers (Pick No. 30)

Against the Ravens on Thanksgiving and the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers could not protect Alex Smith. He was forced to run around too much, which kept them from developing an offense. 

If the 49ers are going to improve this year, they will need to do a better job of keeping Smith (or whoever the quarterback is) protected. Mike Adams is a tackle that would allow them to move Anthony Davis inside, which the 49ers must do. 

Projection: Mike Adams

New York Giants (Pick No. 31/32)

The Giants can get to the quarterback, but when they fail to do so, are quite vulnerable. Alex Smith and Vernon Davis burned the Giants twice on deep balls in the NFC Championship Game. If the Giants win the Super Bowl, it will be in spite of the secondary. 

To be fair, the Giants will have returning injured players, they just need to add depth. With a strong secondary, New York's defense will have them right back in Super Bowl contention next year. 

Projection: Jayron Hosley

Follow @mdixon1985