2012 NFL Draft Predictions: 8 Top Team Needs That Won't Be Filled by Free Agency

NFL Free Agency is an entertaining way for teams to fill needs. It gives fans something to hope for ("What if we bring in Randy Moss?!?!?") and talk about with friends, but Super Bowl champions are built via the NFL Draft. 

In the NFL's worst-kept secret, the Indianapolis Colts will be filling their need for a quarterback by selecting Andrew Luck with the first overall pick.

Here are eight more teams that will skip free agency and fill their holes in the draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers Replacing Aging Vets

The Pittsburgh Steelers said goodbye to several cornerstones of their perennially dominant defense. Aaron Smith, their former pro bowl defensive end, will retire. James Farrior, the captain and play-caller of the D, is gone. Bryant McFadden, a veteran starter of two Super Bowls, was released. 

All these moves were made, at least in part, as cap-saving moves in a desperate attempt to keep Mike Wallace in town. Due to their cap situation, none of these players will be replaced via free agency. The team must turn to the draft, their preferred method of acquiring talent anyway.  

Steelers' beat writer Gerry Dulac recently tweeted, "If Farrior's gone, start fitting a Steelers' uniform for Dont'a Hightower." I agree and fully expect the team to take the leader of Alabama's championship defense in the first round. There is also a deep pool of talent at the defensive tackle position, so expect Pittsburgh to draft Casey Hampton's eventual replacement in the second round. Hampton is 35 and coming off an ACL tear. 

Much of the media attention goes to the Steelers' weaknesses on the offensive line, but the heart and soul of this team is the defense. Expect the priorities to reflect that come draft weekend. 

Washington Redskins' Pursuit of a Franchise Quarterback

In the second-most obvious selection of the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins will be selecting Robert Griffin III. 

Earlier in the offseason, there was some debate as to whether the 'Skins would sell the farm for RG3 or try to pluck one of the many intriguing quarterback options off the free agent board. Washington said "no" to the pursuit of Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Kyle Orton and instead will attempt to build around the Heisman Trophy winner. 

For the sake of the careers of Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, as well as the personal safety of owner Dan Snyder, the Redskins better hope Griffin is at least as good as his most prevalent comparison, Cam Newton. 

Philadelphia Eagles' Need for a Linebacker

The Philadelphia Eagles created the Dream Team secondary, but their linebacking corps remains a nightmare. If they really want to be taken seriously as a Super Bowl threat, they need a tackling machine in the middle of the field. 

The Eagles would be best off drafting the nation's leading tackler, Luke Kuechly from Boston College. Kuechly projects as a prototypical middle linebacker with ideal size, speed and instinctual recognition for the position. He should be available in the middle of the draft, where Philadelphia selects 15th. 

With the current roster, the Eagles cannot add too many competent linebackers, so trading Asante Samuel for a solid veteran would be a wise move; however, a true effort to rebuild the linebacking corps starts with the draft. 

Cincinnati Bengals Replacing Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson is a free agent, and the Cincinnati Bengals have no intention of bringing him back. Productive rushers like Benson (over 1,000 yards in every season with Cincinnati) do not grow on trees. I can only assume the team wants more explosion at the position to join the vertical attack progressing around Andy Dalton and AJ Green. 

Bigger than LaMichael James but faster than Trent Richardson, Miller has arguably the best combination of size and speed in the draft. He comes as a bit of a risk, as he did not have quite the consistent production at Miami I would prefer from a first-round pick, but I believe he is a viable option with the Bengals' second pick, 21st overall. 

There are plenty of running backs in free agency, but none with the pedigree of Benson, so I have to believe the Bengals are looking to the draft to continue a productive running attack. 

Cleveland Browns Replacing Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis was supposed to be the focal point of a resurgent Cleveland Browns' offense. Instead, he let money get in the way of production and quit on his team. Expect Cleveland to go the way of the NFL Draft to replace the newest member of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

At the fourth pick in the draft, Alabama superstar Trent Richardson will be there for the taking. Richardson was an extremely productive player for all three years in college, but really took off once Heisman Winner Mark Ingram left for the NFL. Richardson chewed up SEC defenses, which are arguably the fastest in the nation and full of NFL talent. 

Richardson has ideal size and speed to excel at the next level and I expect him to have the best rookie season for a rusher since Adrian Peterson in 2007.

Dallas Cowboys Rebulding the Secondary

The Dallas Cowboys recently released Terrence Newman and replaced him with Brandon Carr. It is a step in the right direction, but the secondary needs a lot more work than that. With limited cap space, the NFL Draft is how they will fill the remaining holes. 

The Cowboys should use their first-round selection on either a cornerback or a safety, as both are positions of need. Fortunately, their position enables them to fill either hole. With the 14th pick in the draft, Dallas could have their pick of safety Mark Barron and cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins. All three are projected to go in the middle of the draft, so one or all should be there, and it would not be a case of the Cowboys reaching to fill a need. 

Expect Dallas to use its first pick, if not its first two, on help in the secondary. 

Chicago Bears' Offensive Line Needs

The Chicago Bears made out like bandits in trading two third-round picks for a proven talent like Brandon Marshall. Marshall fills one of the team's biggest weaknesses, and the Bears seem set on reserving the rest of their offseason cash in hopes of landing Mario Williams. 

The NFL Draft will be where they fill their next-biggest need: the offensive line. In a deep draft for linemen, there are a number of viable options for the Bears with their 19th pick: David DeCastro, Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn and Mike Adams all could and should be available. 

It's not the sexiest first-round pick, but it is one the Bears need to make to make the next step as a Super Bowl contender. 

Denver Broncos' Need for a Defensive Tackle

The Denver Broncos' rushing defense has slowly made the transition from embarrassingly bad to just bad. Last season, they ranked 22nd in the NFL against the run. 

In order to make the next step, they need a blocker-absorbing defensive tackle. Fortunately for them, this draft is full of such prospects. Top option Dontari Poe is a guarantee to be gone before Denver selects, after his beastly showing in the NFL Combine. However, there are a number of second-tier prospects to consider. 

Jerel Worhty, Fletcher Cox, Devon Still and/or Mike Martin will be available when Denver picks. The only real question is which stopper will they bring in to anchor the rush defense? 

Alexander is a featured columnist for bleacherreport.com You can follow Alexander on twitter @thesportsdude7 or become a fan on his bleacher report profile.