NFL Draft 2012: Teams That Need Heirs for Aging Greats

For most teams, the NFL draft is a chance to fill various holes up and down their rosters.

However, it's also an opportunity for teams to make sure they don't have to worry about filling big holes a year or two down the line. Football players don't last forever, and the great ones are awfully hard to replace.

Take a look around the NFL, and you'll notice that there are quite a few aging greats that aren't going to be around for much longer. Their teams would be wise to look for heirs, and they can find those in the draft.

There are five teams that need to worry about this more than all the others.

Denver Broncos: Champ Bailey

I keep waiting for Champ Bailey to start declining, but he keeps coming out and playing at a high level every season. He's been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons.

But the end has to come sooner or later. Bailey is going to turn 34 this summer, and he may very well decide to hang 'em up before his contract expires in 2015. Even if he doesn't, he's bound to start losing a few steps.

This is a good year for the Broncos to look for a replacement for Bailey. The cornerback class in this year's draft is very deep. Depending on how things pan out, the Broncos could have a shot at players like Janoris Jenkins, Stephon Gilmore or Alfonzo Dennard—all three of whom have plenty of potential.

The Broncos have other needs, of course, but finding an heir for Bailey is a big one.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Casey Hampton, James Farrior

The Steelers have more than a few aging players on their roster, but two stand out more than all the rest: Casey Hampton and James Farrior.

Hampton has been around for a long time and he's had a great career, but he's getting up there in years and he's only signed through 2012. If the Steelers can draft a top nose tackle, a la Dontari Poe, they should.

Farrior is 37 now and he's only signed through 2012, too. The Steelers could look for an heir-apparent for him right away, but they could also hang back and wait until later in the draft. The Steelers know how to evaluate linebackers, and they don't need to use a top pick on one if they don't want to.

For example, let's not forget that James Harrison was an undrafted free agent.

Atlanta Falcons: Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is the greatest tight end in the history of the NFL, but it's a good bet that 2012 will be his final season.

There are no tight ends that stand out as being truly elite in this year's draft class, and that's just fine with them, seeing as how they don't have a first-round pick this year. But if they can get a talented tight end in the second round, they shouldn't hesitate to pounce on him.

A couple guys that stand out are Dwayne Allen, Orson Charles and Coby Fleener.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis said back in January, per Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times, that he's not going to retire. He's coming back in 2012.

Between now and then, Lewis will turn 36. He's still one of the best middle linebackers in the game, but he's a far cry from what he used to be. The Ravens need to prepare for life after Lewis.

There aren't many stud middle linebackers in the 2012 draft class, but a guy like Vontaze Burfict stands out. He would be a perfect fit for the Ravens, as he has actually drawn comparisons to none other than Lewis himself.

If the Ravens can't get Burfict, they should look to find a hidden gem in the later rounds.

Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning

Will he stay or will he go?

It's anyone's guess at this point, but my hunch is that Peyton Manning is finished in Indy. If that ends up being the case, drafting Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick will be too easy.

If Manning comes back, the Colts will have all but killed their chances of drafting Luck. Having him and Manning take up half the payroll would be a disaster.

It's going to be a tough decision to make, but the Colts will never get a better chance to find a new franchise quarterback.