2011 NFL Draft Order: A Complete Look at Where Each Team Stands
The 2011 NFL draft order is nearly set and it gives each team a better idea of where they stand heading into the new year.
Once Week 17 of the regular season comes to a close, teams out of the playoffs can look at their biggest needs and focus on evaluating the prospects entering the draft, as the draft will play a key role in the future of their franchises.
Where does each team stand in the NFL draft order and what areas should they look to address first?
NFC North
1 of 9
No. 28: Chicago Bears
Record: 11-4
Chicago could pursue a true No. 1 wide receiver in a draft with an embarrassment of riches, but that is not their biggest concern.
First and foremost, they need to fix their offensive line.
Jay Cutler looks like a ragdoll at times with the way he gets abused in the backfield. Cutler is partially to blame, but the team's offensive line takes a lion's share of the responsibility.
No. 23: Green Bay Packers
Record: 9-6
Green Bay is one of the most complete teams in the NFL.
The 2011 draft doesn't feature many great running backs—a position they definitely need to bolster—so they may look to add a linebacker to complement Clay Matthews or take a defensive back they can groom to replace Charles Woodson.
No. 14: Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6-9
Minnesota has been a big disappointment and they'll need to go in one of two directions.
They either have to go all-in on a new quarterback if they're not optimistic over Joe Webb and Tavaris Jackson, or look to improve their secondary.
No. 9: Detroit Lions
Record: 5-10
The Detroit Lions have many holes to fill, but defense should be a priority.
They need a strong cornerback to improve their poor secondary or a defensive end to complement Ndamukong Suh.
NFC South
2 of 9
No. 31: Atlanta Falcons
Record: 12-3
Atlanta is a pretty complete team from top to bottom.
However, they could use some help in the secondary or add some new weapons for Matt Ryan to throw to. Roddy White can only do so much on his own and Tony Gonzalez might retire after this season.
No. 27: New Orleans Saints
Record: 11-4
The Saints, much like the Falcons, are a well-rounded team.
If they are satisfied with the carousel they have at running back, bolstering their defense should be their next priority.
They could add to their defensive line to generate some more pressure or bring in some fresh legs for their aging defensive backs.
No. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 9-6
Tampa Bay blindsided the league this year and they're far better than we thought they were prior to the season's beginning.
However, they still need to fix a number of holes on defense.
In a division with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, they'll need to find players capable of generating pressure. And this draft class has a plethora of defensive lineman.
They could also add a cornerback to handle the passing attack.
No. 1: Carolina Panthers
Record: 2-13
After finishing with the worst record in the NFL, it goes without saying that the Panthers have several pressing needs. They're already a lock for the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Some believe that Jimmy Clausen should be given time to develop, but Andrew Luck is a better prospect.
Should Luck declare, that should be their pick.
If not, they could grab a defensive lineman or even a wide receiver.
NFC East
3 of 9
No. 25: Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 10-5
The Philadelphia Eagles need to address their offensive line in the draft.
It is by far their most glaring weakness and it couldn't be more apparent Tuesday night when the Minnesota Vikings manhandled Michael Vick all night long.
No. 19: New York Giants
Record: 9-6
Despite the rough patches they have gone through, the New York football Giants have a well-rounded team.
New York could opt to add some fresh legs to their linebacker corps or expand depth along their offensive line.
No. 13: Washington Redskins
Record: 6-9
Quarterback will probably be one of the top concerns for the team, but if they feel confident enough in Rex Grossman, they could definitely fill a number of holes on the roster.
They need another wide receiver to complement Santana Moss, or a defensive lineman to replace Albert Haynesworth.
No. 7: Dallas Cowboys
Record: 5-10
The Dallas Cowboys have been awful this season and they need to fix up their roster.
A defensive back should be key, but a defensive lineman is needed just as well.
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NFC West
4 of 9
No. 21: St. Louis Rams
Record: 7-8
St. Louis has a number of needs, but more than anything else, they need to grab a playmaker.
Sam Bradford can only do so much throwing to the likes of Danario Alexander and Danny Amendola.
No. 11: Seattle Seahawks
Record: 6-9
Seattle really needs to bolster their offensive line.
There are few elite offensive lineman in this year's draft class and they'll need to act accordingly if they want to improve their front five.
They could also opt to grab a quarterback they can groom under Matt Hasselbeck.
No. 6: San Francisco 49ers
Record: 5-10
San Francisco needs a quarterback, badly. Alex Smith is on his way out and Troy Smith has been shaky.
They need to grab someone who can be a franchise cornerstone.
Some help in the secondary would be another option.
No. 5: Arizona Cardinals
Record: 5-10
Like many teams at the bottom of the pile, the Arizona Cardinals need someone to take over the reins behind center. Derek Anderson will not get the job done and John Skelton has been unimpressive.
If they make the mistake of not drafting a quarterback, they need to improve their defense.
AFC North
5 of 9
No. 30: Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 11-4
This one is almost too easy.
They need to bring in competent offensive lineman to protect Ben Roethlisberger and open holes for Rashard Mendenhall.
No. 29: Baltimore Ravens
Record: 11-4
Baltimore's defense has not been as dominant as years past and they should look to change that through the draft.
Their secondary is aging and they should look to bring in some young blood to offset that.
Otherwise, they may even grab one of the highly touted wide receivers entering the NFL draft.
No. 10: Cleveland Browns
Record: 5-10
Colt McCoy needs a toy to play with. Players like Mohamed Massaquoi and Chansi Stuckey will not cut it.
There are a number of amazing wide receivers coming out of the draft and they need to address it right away.
No. 3: Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 4-11
The Cincinnati Bengals roster is on the verge of being completely overhauled.
If they cut Carson Palmer, then a quarterback will be their priority. If they keep him but let Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens go, then they need to go after a wide receiver.
Otherwise, their defensive line could use an added punch.
AFC South
6 of 9
No. 22: Indianapolis Colts
Record: 9-6
If they want to continue to have success and keep Peyton Manning healthy and happy, they'll find some help to protect him.
The Colts offensive line hasn't done the best job this year and there are a number of players available for their projected draft position.
No. 17: Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 8-7
If Jacksonville ever wants to topple the Indianapolis Colts, they will need to find a player that can generate pressure or one that can improve its secondary.
No. 12: Tennessee Titans
Record: 6-9
Tennessee should be looking to grab a quarterback, but if there aren't any available worth taking, they should go after a defensive lineman or linebacker.
No. 8: Houston Texans
Record: 5-10
Houston needs to add a defensive back to improve upon their abysmal secondary.
If they feel they can grab a solid defensive back in free agency, then they should go after a defensive tackle to plug up holes on the inside.
AFC East
7 of 9
No. 32: New England Patriots
Record: 13-2
New England could very well add a wide receiver to give Tom Brady another target outside of Wes Welker.
However, the team seems set on offense so their defense should be their primary concern.
A solid cornerback or defensive lineman should be their targets. They have two first round picks so they could very well get two impact players at each position.
No. 26: New York Jets
Record: 10-5
The New York Jets are a defensive team first and I believe they will look to improve their defensive line.
If not, there are a number of highly rated wide receivers that can be added to effectively replace any receivers they may lose via free agency.
No. 16: Miami Dolphins
Record: 7-8
The Miami Dolphins probably need a quarterback more than anything else, but at 16, there is a shortage of worthy ones for them to take.
Running back should be their chief concern with the team likely to let Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams walk in free agency after poor seasons.
No. 4: Buffalo Bills
Record: 4-11
Buffalo seems to be satisfied with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback and Steve Johnson at wide receiver.
Their defense should be their main priority, but Buffalo rarely makes the right picks in the draft.
If they were smart, they'd grab a defensive lineman, particularly an end.
AFC West
8 of 9
No. 24: Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 10-5
Kansas City needs to find a complementary receiver to line up across Dwayne Bowe.
They should also look to bolster their depth in their front seven.
No. 18: San Diego Chargers
Record: 8-7
San Diego is pretty set on offense.
They should look to add a linebacker to improve the middle of their defense. If not, it can't hurt for them to add another pass rushing defensive lineman.
No. 15: Oakland Raiders
Record: 7-8
Oakland has numerous needs, but defense should be their main target.
They could add a receiver, but they've gone that route in years past and should look at defense instead.
No. 2: Denver Broncos
Record: 4-11
If the new regime in Denver is not a believer in Tim Tebow, and Kyle Orton is no longer in their plans, they could grab a quarterback. But I don't see that happening.
Defense should be the key to their draft, and if Champ Bailey leaves, cornerback is the way to go in the first.
However, adding another linebacker and defensive lineman should also be taken into consideration.
Projected 2011 NFL Draft Order
9 of 9
1. Carolina (2-13)
2. Denver (4-11)
3. Cincinnati (4-11)
4. Buffalo (4-11)
5. Arizona (5-10)
6. San Francisco (5-10)
7. Dallas (5-10)
8. Houston (5-10)
9. Detroit (5-10)
10. Cleveland (5-10)
11. Seattle (6-9)
12. Tennessee (6-9)
13. Washington (6-9)
14. Minnesota (6-9)
15. New England - pick comes from Oakland (7-8)
16. Miami (7-8)
17. Jacksonville (8-7)
18. San Diego (8-7)
19. New York Giants (9-6)
20. Tampa Bay (9-6)
The teams listed below are currently in the playoff picture. Therefore, their final ranking will be determined by the outcome of the playoffs.
21. St. Louis (7-8)
22. Indianapolis (9-6)
23. Green Bay (9-6)
24. Kansas City (10-5)
25. Philadelphia (10-5)
26. New York Jets (10-5)
27. New Orleans (11-4)
28. Baltimore (11-4)
29. Chicago (11-4)
30. Pittsburgh (11-4)
31. Atlanta (12-3)
32. New England (13-2)
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