2010 NFL Predictions: 10 Teams Chasing No. 1 Pick in 2011 Draft
It's never fun to be a bottom-dwelling team.
A losing culture just doesn't do well for team morale and fan loyalty.
On the bright side, teams can find themselves with a top pick in the draft.
And if they're lucky, really lucky, they can net a franchise player who will turn around their misfortunes.
Here are 10 teams chasing the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
1 of 10
There's a lot of pressure on David Garrard to finally deliver as the quarterback for the Jaguars.
Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker are their two best offensive weapons.
But there remains several question marks with their defense. Either Jacksonville finally makes the playoffs with their offense or they could fold again because of their inexperienced defense.
9. Seattle Seahawks
2 of 10
Pete Carroll turned around the USC program and was responsible for lifting them to elite status in college football.
Though many expect him to do the same in Seattle, Carroll's impact won't immediately be felt in his first season.
By cutting T.J. Houshmanzadeh, he's already trying to instill a youth movement with the Seahawks.
He's serious about spearheading the turnaround after investing a second-round draft pick in a trade for quarterback-of-the-future Charlie Whitehurst.
Meanwhile, Matt Hasselbeck will be throwing to Deion Branch and Mike Williams to start the season. And their running game is in flux.
8. Denver Broncos
3 of 10
Gone are Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler.
With Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter's early training camp problems, their running game could disappear with one injury.
Orton and his receivers need to find some consistency.
The Broncos were 8-8 last season, but they started the season 6-0 and ended the year 2-8.
Was that 6-0 start a fluke, and the 2-8 record afterward a true reflection of the team?
Perhaps, and that could mean more problems in Denver.
The bright side, Tim Tebow is now on the team. And the Tebow factor will surely drive fans into the stadium.
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7. Kansas City Chiefs
4 of 10
Aside from running back Jamaal Charles, there were not that many players on this team who impressed last season.
Dwayne Bowe is their only experienced wide receiver, and Matt Cassell struggled at times as their starting quarterback.
So what can we expect from the Chiefs this year?
More of the same.
6. Oakland Raiders
5 of 10
Yes, those are Raider fans sitting in the stands.
Oakland led the league, last season, with the lowest attendance average of all 32 teams.
After disposing of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Jason Campbell is now their starter and that's considered to be an improvement.
The Raiders should have a chance to win more than five games this year.
5. Detroit Lions
6 of 10
Consider this Lions fans, two seasons ago you had an all-time worst 0-16 record, and they were 2-14 in 2009.
Now, Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh are part of the team. Better days are definitely in the future with those two in the fold.
The Lions should feel good about their new, young and talented pieces. Four wins in one season, could be possible!
Hang in there. Another year or so of futility and you'll be playoff contenders.
4. Cleveland Browns
7 of 10
It's the first year of the Mike Holmgren era.
And he's watching Eric Mangini carefully, who surprisingly retained his job. We know Holmgren is not afraid to make changes.
But this team is young and still unproven.
Seeing them improve upon a five-win season from last year is possible but not likely.
3. Tampa Bay Bucaneers
8 of 10
The Bucs added two talented DTs in the draft.
And they're flooded with a lot of young and inexperienced talent at almost every single position.
That just doesn't add up to immediate success.
Tampa Bay has a better chance of finishing the season among the bottom five in the NFL than breaking out this year.
2. St. Louis Rams
9 of 10
The Rams added a potential franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford with the first pick in the NFL draft.
But he can't be expected to turn things around immediately for this franchise, especially if he doesn't have any top-flight receivers. Aside from Steven Jackson, there are little offensive threats on this team.
Their defense is also young and needs time to mature.
St. Louis is going through a rebuilding year this year, and everyone in the league knows it.
1. Buffalo Bills
10 of 10
It's been a decade since the Bills last made the playoffs. And things still aren't looking up in Buffalo.
Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback simply doesn't bode well for this team.
They also have a young group of offensive linemen which will struggle through growing pains this year.
Expect them to be overpowered by plenty of stronger opponents.
Top-draft choicoe, runningback C.J. Spiller is the only bright spot in their future.
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