NFL Offseason Mailbag: Worst Teams in 2012, Toughest Divisions & More

Every week (at least every week there's interest) I'll be conducting a Q&A with you, the dear readers of The Go Route, covering all the latest goings on around the NFL. You can submit your questions to me either via email ([e-mail]) or via Twitter (@Aaron_Nagler).

Let's dive in, shall we? 

From Fran via Twitter:

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Which teams will be competing for the 2013 #1 Draft pick?

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Since my way-too-early pick of a Packers/Patriots Super Bowl caused a decent-sized stir, why not talk about who I think will be in the race for the bottom. Very clever, Fran.

A word of warning here—coming out of preseason last year, I declared quite loudly for all to hear that the Cincinnati Bengals would, without question, be drafting Andrew Luck in 2012—so what I'm about to say here carries little if any weight whatsoever. 

That said, looking over the post-draft landscape, as things stand now I have to think the Dolphins, Jaguars, Colts, Vikings and Browns are all in the running to be pretty terrible, but so much can change between even now and the start of camp, let alone after the preseason and the start of the regular season, I'm really just throwing darts. Check back in late August...

From Cian Fahey via Twitter: 

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Who has the worst starting CBs in the NFL? Raiders/Colts?

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Hmm. I actually tend to think the Raiders pair of Ronald Bartell and Shawntae Spencer will be more than serviceable for Jason Tarver, Oakland's new defensive coordinator. Obviously, neither will be mistaken for Darrelle Revis anytime soon, but I would tend to think they can hold up their end of the bargain doing what will be asked of them. 

As for Jerraud Powers and Kevin Thomas with the Colts—well, there you may be on to something...

From  Chris Trapasso via Twitter: 

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What will be the most competitive/toughest division in football in 2012? I got the NFC North.

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That's a good choice Chris, but I tend to think most of the North will have the Vikings to beat up on twice in 2012.

I'd have to go with the NFC East. I think last year's weakest link, the Redskins, will be much improved—this after beating the Super Bowl champs twice last year. Also, I really think the Eagles will be the team many thought they were going to be heading into 2011, namely a Super Bowl contender. Dallas is as talented as ever and looks to have improved on defense—and then there are the Super Bowl champs. I think every NFC East contest in 2012 will be a fantastic game.