2011 NFL Draft: How Every Team in the AFC Can Get Better
The NFL season has reached the half-way point, which means it is time to start looking seriously at the NFL Draft and upcoming off-season. Here are our rankings of each AFC team's needs, ranked 1-5.
Buffalo Bills Team Needs
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5.Outside Linebacker: Buffalo has benched former first-round pick Aaron Maybin, who can officially be labeled a bust. Playing in a 3-4 hybrid defense, Buffalo needs to generate pressure from the edges. Adding a young pass rushing linebacker is a key for their off-season.
4. Wide Receiver: Injuries have killed the Bills at wide receiver this season. We like Steve Johnson and Roscoe Parrish, but the team needs a big, down field threat. Look for receiver to be addressed in the middle rounds of the draft.
3. Cornerback: Veteran Drayton Florence is a free agent after this season and there are doubts he will want to stay in Buffalo, preferring to play for a contender. Leodis McKelvin has been solid, but nowhere near worth the top 10 pick used on him.
2. Left Tackle: Rookie Ed Wang looks like a decent NFL player, and perhaps he will improve to the level of a starting tackle over time. Until then, the Bills are looking at a massive hole at left tackle. The 2011 Draft is not heavy on first round talent at tackle, but the second round will be loaded with tackles.
1. Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick has been solid, and shows promise, but can he lead the Bills to a playoff season? Better yet, is he better than Andrew Luck? The answers to both questions is no. We like Fitzpatrick, but his ceiling is much lower than Luck.
Miami Dolphins Team Needs
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5. Defensive Tackle: In the 3-4 defense you can never have too many big bodies up front. Miami is solid at many positions, so look for them to add depth late in the draft on the defensive line and at linebacker.
4. Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall is one of our favorite wide receivers, and among the most talented at his position in the NFL. Davonne Bess has looked promising as a #2 receiver, but there roster is empty after the two starters. Miami must add depth to the position.
3. Free Safety: The secondary in Miami is improving, but there are still holes in the middle of the field too often. Upgrading at free safety will be on the teams list of plans for the 2011 Draft.
2. Offensive Guard: Richie Incognito hits the free agent market after the season, and while he's not a Pro Bowl player, he's a solid interior lineman. Miami depends heavily on the run game and must have a viable front five in place to succeed.
1. Running Back: Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown will both be free agents after the season, leaving a huge hole in the Miami offense. Chad Henne's growth as a quarterback depends on a strong running game. Miami will be in a great position to add a back in the mid-to-late first round.
New England Patriots Team Needs
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5. Cornerback: No team does a better job playing with less than the Patriots. They've added to the position in previous drafts, but cutting Terrence Wheatley admits that they are not pleased with all of their recent draft choices. Replacing Wheatley's roster spot late in the draft with a project at corner is likely.
4. Running Back: Veteran RBs Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor are free agents, but BenJarvus Green Ellis and Danny Woodhead have filled in admirably. However, neither player is a franchise back. New England has traditionally not relied much on the run, but as Tom Brady ages the Patriots would love to be able to take pressure off of him.
3. Offensive Tackle: Matt Light is scheduled to hit free agency this year, but it remains to be seen what the Patriots think of him. The team does not traditionally re-sign veteran players to long-term deals. They also have the ability to slide Sebastian Vollmer to the left side, but this opens a hole at right tackle.
2. Offensive Guard: Until the Logan Mankins contact issue is resolved, New England is looking at a sizable hole in their offensive line. While the Patriots do a great job plugging in different players, Mankins is the second most important offensive player behind Brady.
1. Outside Linebacker: The 3-4 defense only works when you have a consistent pass rush coming off the edges. New England has vowed to get younger on defense, but at the expense of their immediate success. Adding outside linebackers, more than one, will be a priority this year.
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New York Jets Team Needs
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5. Free Safety: Upgrading over Brodney Pool/Eric Smith at FS could help the defense down the road. This is not an area that immediately needs upgraded, but it is a spot where the team can improve.
4. Left Guard: LG Matt Slauson has been a sore spot, so help there will be needed if he doesn't improve or 2010 2nd round pick Vlad Ducasse isn't ready to step in. Both guard spots can benefit from added depth and competition.
3. Defensive End: Shaun Ellis is playing well this year but is a probable free agent this spring. The defensive line in New York is a key ingredient on the attacking defense. Finding a replacement for Ellis, whether it is for 2011 or later, is a must.
2. Outside Linebacker: Jason Taylor, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas have improved the pass rush this year, but youth at the OLB spot is needed. A dominant outside pass rush would make the Jets a very scary team.
1. Wide Receiver: Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith are all free agents after the season, just like back-up QBs Mark Brunell and Kellen Clemens. While solid play down the stretch will result in new deals for at least one of the receivers, New York will also be looking for youth at the position.
Baltimore Ravens Team Needs
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5. Offensive Guard: Ben Grubbs is a top guard in our opinion, but opposite him there is nothing spectacular. The Ravens offense is on the brink of becoming one of the best in the NFL, but to do that they must become better on the right side of the line.
4. Offensive Tackle: Reports have surfaced that the team is not happy with right tackle Jared Gaither. This opens the Ravens offense up to a need. Marshall Yanda is a good player, but he may be a better fit at guard.
3. Center: Matt Birk has been one of the best centers in the NFL for a long time. With that said, the Ravens cannot expect him to continue to play at such a high level for many more seasons. Finding his replacement is a priority.
2. Wide Receiver: Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason make up a great 1-2 punch, but Mason is entering the last stages of his career. Housh and Stallworth have not provided the spark many expected, leaving Baltimore with a hole at #3 receiver after this season.
1. Cornerback: The Ravens list of free agents is scary to think about. With TJ Houshmandzadeh, Donte Stallworth, DT Haloti Ngata, CB/KR Chris Carr, CB Fabian Washington, SS Dawan Landry, OG Chris Chester all primed to hit the market. Cornerback has been a weak link without any losses. This team cannot afford another off-season without adding a starter at the position.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Needs
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5. Quarterback: Fans in Cincinnati seem to either love or hate Carson Palmer right now. What cannot be argued against is that Palmer has not been as good since suffering an elbow injury in 2008. The team has nothing behind Palmer in terms of development players.
4. Running Back: The Bengals may not bring back Cedric Benson after a rough season for the run game. Benson may not be the problem, but he may be the person who gets the blame. At a minimum Cincinnati should look to add a complimentary back to Benson's bruising style of play.
3. Inside Linebacker: Dhani Jones may not be back for the 2011 season, leaving a void in the middle of the Bengals defense. Jones is also a veteran player who could be replaced by a younger, faster, option.
2. Defensive End: The defense is full of talented, young players, but the pass rush is non-existent. Adding a star at defensive end is most likely the teams highest priority for the off-season.
1. Offensive Guard: Problems in the Cincinnati offense can be blamed on many players, but no bigger problem exists than the interior line play. The Bengals must improve at guard before they can reclaim their Super Bowl aspirations.
Cleveland Browns Team Needs
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5. Strong Safety: TJ Ward has been great for the Browns in his rookie season at free safety, and the cornerback position is full of talented young players. What the Browns secondary lacks is a punishing strong safety.
4. Tight End: There are players here who can contribute, but none of the four tight ends on the roster are considered a long-term answer at the position. Finding an athletic pass catcher would go a long way in the development of Colt McCoy.
3. Defensive End: In the 3-4 defense the ends must be able to support the run and anchor their side of the line. Cleveland's ends are not doing this. Improving at end is a bigger need than most realize, as it is not a glamour position in the 3-4.
2. Wide Receiver: Adding targets for Colt McCoy will be the goal for the off-season. Mike Holmgren knows how to develop a quarterback and build an offense. He will be looking for receivers McCoy can grow with.
1. Outside Linebacker: Matt Roth and ILB Chris Gocong are both free agents, but neither player is considered a long-term solution at the position. Cleveland, if they intend to stay in the 3-4 defense, must get better on the outside.
Pittsburgh Steelers Team Needs
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5. Defensive End: Aaron Smith is one of the more underrated players in the league, and his injury is being felt on the defensive line right now. Smith and Brett Keisel are both getting older, and it remains to be seen if former first rounder Ziggy Hood can play at a high level.
4. Wide Receiver: The Steelers have gotten younger here, but we still like them to add a receiver or two late in the draft. Limas Sweed has proven to be a bust, he is missing the year with an injury currently. Finding third and fourth receivers late in the draft would be a steal.
3. Offensive Tackle: Injuries have hurt the position, but lack of talent has too. Pittsburgh may not find a starter in round one this year, but the draft is deep at tackle in rounds 2 and 3.
2. Cornerback: Just like their needs on the offensive line, we regularly list cornerback as a primary need for the Steelers. Their cornerback group is a bit average, and Ike Taylor is likely on his way out of town. Finding a cornerback in round one is very likely for Pittsburgh.
1. Offensive Guard: It seems like the Steelers have needed help at guard and tackle for the past five seasons. Maybe this is the year they finally pull the trigger on a top-flight guard early in the draft. A quick look at their roster shows a huge need at the position.
Houston Texans Team Needs
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5. Wide Receiver: The Texans have a good core group at receiver, but with few needs on the roster they have an opportunity to add quality depth in the draft.
4. Free Safety: The secondary will be the main focus for Houston this off-season. Improvement is potentially needed at every position, depending on free agency. A play making free safety would help close the gap between Houston and division rival Indianapolis.
3. Strong Safety: Bernard Pollard is scheduled to be a free agent and we hear he is expecting big money. Houston may or may not be prepared to pay him. Should he leave, Houston is facing a massive hole in an already weak secondary.
2. Tight End: Owen Daniels is one of the best players on the roster, but he is also a free agent after the season and has not been happy with management. We expect him to leave town. The Texans could look at a tight end in the top three rounds to replace him.
1. Cornerback: Rookie Kareem Jackson has been targeted all season, as you'd expect, but he needs more help in the secondary. Losing Dunta Robinson continues to haunt this team. Houston could realistically draft another cornerback very early in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts Team Needs
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5. Quarterback: At some point the Colts have to think about replacing Peyton Manning. They should take any opportunity presented to draft a potential replacement.
4. Running Back: Joseph Addai is a free agent after this season, and while he never became the dominant back many expected, he is a key player in the blocking, passing and run game. Replacing Addai will be tough for the Colts should they have to.
3. Offensive Guard: Peyton Manning makes this group up front appear much better than they are. Mike Pollak has been a bust after the team hoped he could step in at guard or center. Jaimie Thomas should probably be a career back up.
2. Defensive Tackle: Rush defense is again a problem for the Colts, so adding bigger bodies on the interior defensive line is a priority. As the Texans become bigger contenders, the Colts must prepare to stop their aggressive run game.
1. Offensive Tackle: Starting LT Charlie Johnson could be a free agent after the season, so they may seek an upgrade here. As good as the Colts are at drafting, their attempts to lock down the left tackle position have all failed.
Jacksonville Jaguars Team Needs
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5. Inside Linebacker: Even with Aaron Kampman and Tyson Alualu in the fold, the team's defense is average, at best. The Jags are missing a leader in the middle who is a force against the run and dependable in pass coverage.
4. Strong Safety: We liked Courtney Greene in college, but he has failed to translate well to the pro game. As much as any position, strong safety is a weak link for Jacksonville.
3. Tight End: Marcedes Lewis will hit the free agent market after the season. While we have never been incredibly impressed with him, he does represent a large number of catches. Replacing Lewis will be a tough job for whomever is calling the shots on draft day.
2. Free Safety: The team is currently relying on Tyron Brackenridge and Sean Considine at free safety. This is not good. The secondary in Jacksonville continues to be their biggest weakness. Making major improvements at safety is a must.
1. Quarterback: David Garrard failed to make major improvements, leaving the Jaguars looking for a new signal caller of the future in the 2011 draft. Garrard could be kept on to mentor the rookie, depending on the player.
Tennessee Titans Team Needs
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5. Tight End: Bo Scaife is a free agent, but we have heard he has no plans to leave. Things change though, and once money is on the table Scaife may be tempted to bolt town.
4. Quarterback: Kerry Collins is unlikely to return next season, either through retirement or free agency. Vince Young has been better this year, but unspectacular. Tennessee must find a dependable, and ready, back up.
3. Wide Receiver: Picking up Randy Moss was a smart move for the rest of the season. Moss cannot be factored in to any long-term plans as of yet, leaving Tennessee still looking for a complimentary receiver to Kenny Britt.
2. Inside Linebacker: The Titans defense does not need a great middle linebacker to succeed, but the team could still improve here. Stephen Tulloch is a good player, but he's not great by any means.
1. Cornerback: Cortland Finnegan is one of the more aggressive players in the league, and for that we love him. Opposite Finnegan the Titans have not been able to secure a consistent cover man. Tennessee will be looking to improve at cornerback early in the draft.
Denver Broncos Team Needs
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5. Nose Tackle: Jamaal Williams has one or two seasons left, at best. Ronald Fields has always been solid in small amounts, but he will never be a starting nose tackle for long.
4. Outside Linebacker: The team could not sustain another season-ending injury to Elvis Dumervil if they expect to compete for a title. Finding a quality 'backer opposite Dumervil would help lessen the blow, but also give them a scary pass rush from either edge.
3. Tight End: The team needs a legitimate receiving tight end, and could also stand to get younger at the position. Daniel Graham is a proven blocker, but does nothing in the pass game.
2. Cornerback: Champ Bailey is 32 years old and looking for a contract extension. Denver knows they have to add at the position and will be looking to draft 1-2 corners this season.
1. Defensive End: Losing sack-master OLB Elvis Dumervil was a major blow to the Broncos' defense, but stopping the run has also been an issue. Look for Denver to make major changes to their front three early in the draft.
Kansas City Chiefs Team Needs
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5. Nose Tackle: Ron Edwards has done a good job stepping in, but no one sees him as a long-term solution. Edwards will be able to hold down the position for another season or two, but expect Kansas City to covet a Vince Wilfork type nose for the future.
4. Inside Linebacker: Derrick Johnson has been playing like a man possessed this season, and may be worthy of a lot of credit for the team's improvement on defense. Next to Johnson there is room for improvement. Corey Mays is a nice player, but he could be much better.
3. Quarterback: After two seasons we are still not sure who Matt Cassel is. He has been great at times, and a liability at others. Kansas City may not be ready to move on, but they should be prepared for the future by drafting a quality back up/developmental player.
2. Offensive Tackle: Branden Albert has been very improved at left tackle this season. Right tackle is a problem, though. Barry Richardson has been a solid player, but he would be better in a back up role. Finding their cornerstone right tackle will help push KC over the line of good teams versus contenders.
1. Outside Linebacker: Tamba Hali and Mike Vrabel are both looking at free agency. The Chiefs would be wise to lock-up Hali before the season ends if possible. Whether Hali returns or not, Kansas City must find a replacement for Vrabel.
Oakland Raiders Team Needs
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5. Outside Linebacker: Thomas Howard will be a free agent after the season and could definitely leave Oakland. If Howard stays, depth and speed are needed. If Howard leaves, outside linebacker becomes a major weakness.
4. Wide Receiver: Darius Heyward Bey is finally looking like a competent NFL player, but he still has a long way to go before earning his draft spot. Louis Murphy is a good player, but none of the receivers on the roster stand out as a go-to guy.
3. Defensive Tackle: Richard Seymour will be a free agent after the season, but we continue to hear he loves playing in Oakland. If Seymour stays on board, the Raiders will be able to focus on adding talented players around him at both end and tackle.
2. Offensive Tackle: The team's tackles have not been good in pass protection for either quarterback, so some changes need to be made here. The draft is not strong with tackles early, but with no first round pick this season, Oakland could find their book-end in rounds two or three.
1. Quarterback: No one is sure what Oakland has at the position, or what they will do. Jason Campbell hasn't been statistically amazing, but they've won with him under center. Bruce Gradkowski is regarded as a better player, but he has been injured and is facing free agency. Our best guess is that Oakland keeps Campbell and drafts a player to eventually take over.
San Diego Chargers Team Needs
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5. Running Back: Ryan Mathews will be starting in San Diego for years to come, but back up and key return man Darren Sproles will be a free agent after the season.
4. Cornerback: Adding depth here, as well as youth and speed, is a need for Chargers GM AJ Smith.
3. Defensive End: Jacques Cesaire and Travis Johnson, like so many players on this team, are free agents after the season. Neither player is considered a top at their position in the NFL, but losing one or both would be a huge blow to the defense.
2. Inside Linebacker: Both Stephen Cooper and Kevin Burnett are free agents, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. Both players could be brought back, but until their contracts are signed this is a key need for the Chargers.
1. Wide Receiver: Vincent Jackson's future in San Diego does not look bright. Starter Malcom Floyd is a pending free agent and could look for a better situation in the off-season. The Chargers offense has suffered without good receiver play. This is a big need.
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