2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 Order Preview
The 2010 NFL regular season is just starting to heat up as teams make that final push toward the playoffs. But it's never too early to start forecasting next season's NFL draft order.
Based on the current standings and each team's remaining schedule, here is a preview of how the top 10 picks might look in next April's NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)
1 of 10
It's been an awful year for the Panthers. Injuries derailed the season before it ever really began.
There is no chance John Fox, who's contract is up, will return. Carolina will begin a major rebuilding project the right way; with a new coaching staff and the first pick in the 2011 draft.
The Panther's schedule is also tough. They have two games remaining against the team with the best record in the league, the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina also has to travel to Pittsburgh in Week 16 to face a tough Steelers team in potentially rough weather. The only seemingly winnable game left is Week 15, when they host the Arizona Cardinals.
2. Detroit Lions
2 of 10
Detroit looked good early on, but multiple injuries to Matthew Stafford's shoulder helped ensure that the Lions would once again have a top five pick in the draft.
Unlike the Panthers, Detroit has already started to rebuild and has much more reason for optimism in 2011. They have a young nucleus on offense and have assembled a fearsome pass rush.
The Lions will be underdogs in all of their last four games. They will host the Packers and Vikings, and go on the road for two trips to Florida to play the Bucs and the Dolphins. Amazingly, Detroit has not won a road game since October 28, 2007.
3. Buffalo Bills (2-14)
3 of 10
At least the Bills made losing exciting. They gave the Jets and Ravens all they could handle only to lose in overtime. Ryan Fitzpatrick really ignited the offense after coming off the bench. He proved himself to be a capable downfield passer.
The real question for the Bills is will Chan Gailey return? If he's back and feels that he can win with Fitzpatrick, the Bills will be looking to shore up a porous defense.
Perhaps the only winnable game for the Bills will be in Week 14 when they play an improving Cleveland Browns team in Orchard Park. The remainder of the 2010 schedule will be played within the AFC East, including trips to Miami and to New Jersey to play the Jets. Buffalo will host the Patriots in Week 16.
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4. Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
4 of 10
If anything, the 2010 Cardinal's season proved how important Kurt Warner was to Arizona. Without the future Hall of Famer, the Arizona offense has been unable to make many plays and ranks next to last in the NFL.
Ken Whisenhunt will be back but there could be major changes throughout the rest of the Cardinal's staff. They could also be interested in a big name quarterback in the draft.
There is reason to think that the Cardinals could win some of their remaining 2010 games. They play a 3-9 Denver team that just fired it's head coach, at 1-11 Carolina, at home against 4-8 Dallas, and close the year at 4-8 San Francisco.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (3-13)
5 of 10
Perhaps no team was more disappointing in 2010 than the Cincinnati Bengals. Coming off of a surprising AFC North Championship in 2009 and with the additions of Terrell Owens, Jordan Shipley, and Jermaine Gresham, expectations were high for 2010.
The Bengals will certainly have a new coaching staff next year and Carson Palmer's declining skills could force Cincinnati to be a player in the rookie quarterback sweepstakes.
It will be difficult for the Bengals to snap their current nine game losing streak. They still have to travel to Pittsburgh and Baltimore to play two of the best team in the AFC. Cincinnati's two remaining home games are against the upstart Browns and 6-6 San Diego Chargers.
6. Denver Broncos (4-12)
6 of 10
As Josh McDaniels just learned the best way to start a coaching career might not be to run off your new team's best players. Even without Jay Cutler or Brandon Marshall the Broncos offense has exceeded expectations.
Despite having a new head coach next year, it is hard to envision the Broncos not drafting to improve their 27th ranked defense. The surprising selection of Tim Tebow likely means that the Broncos won't be looking for a new quarterback.
New Interim Head Coach Eric Studesville will begin his career with a couple of winnable games at Arizona and at Oakland. After that the Broncos will host the Texans and Chargers to end the year.
7. Tennessee Titans (5-11)
7 of 10
The incident between Vince Young and Jeff Fisher spelled the end of the season for the Titans. Now there is speculation of a divided locker room and an owner who may side with Young over the NFL's longest tenured coach.
The Titans have young studs at their skill position players so they are likely to concentrate on drafting to improve a once powerful defense, or to shore up the offensive line.
Tennessee's remaining schedule will make it difficult for them to win any more games. They must play the Colts twice. The Titans also must travel to Kansas City and will end the 2010 season with a home game against the Texans.
8. Washington Redskins (5-11)
8 of 10
The Eagles look like they may have gotten the better of the Redskins in their off-season trade for Donovan McNabb. Washington's offense has been disappointing while the Eagles, led by their former third quarterback Michael Vick, have looked at times unstoppable.
The Redskins have looked old and slow on offense while their defense has been awful. They have needs all over the field and will be looking to draft the best available player.
Of all the teams that might finish in the top ten, the Redskins might have the most difficult remaining schedule. They host the 7-5 Buccaneers, travel to Dallas for the hated Cowboys, then go to Jacksonville for the first place Jags, and end the year with a home game against the New York Giants.
9. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
9 of 10
Everyone's preseason pick to win the weak NFC West, the 49ers started the year with five straight losses and were never able to recover. That will likely cost Mike Singletary his job.
San Francisco will likely not enter a huge rebuilding project. They have a good defense and an intriguing set of young skill position players. Bringing in an established veteran quarterback could allow the team to draft the best available player in the 2011 draft.
The 49ers don't have a terribly difficult schedule to close their 2010 season. They should win their two homes games against the Seahawks and Cardinals and have road games left with the Chargers and Rams.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
10 of 10
Jerry Jones must be kicking himself for not making the switch at head coach sooner. Jason Garrett has rejuvenated the Cowboys, but the damage had been done after a disastrous 1-7 start under Wade Phillips.
Garrett will likely be back and the Cowboys will be looking to improve on the defensive side of the ball. They would be thrilled to grab Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller.
The Cowboys will close 2010 by hosting the first place Eagles. In Week 15 the Redskins will come to Cowboys stadium. Dallas will then close the year with two road games against the Cardinals and a rematch with Philadelphia.
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