2011 NFL Draft Order: Analyzing Each Team's Draft-Day Philosophy
With the NFL regular season finished, the playoffs are set to start on Saturday with the New Orleans Saints visiting the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Jets traveling to the Indianapolis Colts (followed by the Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday).
So while these teams (and those who have first-round byes) are focused on winning the Super Bowl, the remaining 20 NFL franchises are now putting their energy into the offseason.
The 2011 NFL Draft order is set for these teams, so they can at least get some idea on which players will be available when they are put on the clock.
And while we don't know where Jim Harbaugh, Bill Cowher and John Gruden will land in the head coaching carousel, or if Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, et. al. will enter the draft, we can still have a pretty good idea of each team's draft-day philosophy at this point.
So here it is, every team's strategy in approaching the 2011 NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers
1 of 34
The Panthers have a lot of needs, but their most pressing one is to find a franchise quarterback, since Jimmy Clausen doesn't appear to be the answer.
Andrew Luck would be the logical choice if he comes out, but that's still not certain.
Carolina also needs to address its defensive line and simply improve its talent at every position (except running back).
2. Denver Broncos
2 of 34
Upgrading the defense is a must for whoever winds up coaching Denver.
The Broncos have a lot invested in Tim Tebow, so they should give him a shot next year and focus first on replacing Champ Bailey (assuming he leaves this offseason) and then addressing the front seven.
Their offense isn’t great as is, but it has a lot of talent, and defense is a much more pressing need.
3. Buffalo Bills
3 of 34
The Bills have to make a tough decision.
While they have some talent on offense, a team in the AFC East isn’t making the playoffs with Ryan Fitzpatrick. If I were running the Bills, I’d target a quarterback in round one.
But their biggest holes are on defense, and Fitzpatrick has proven that he can at least be a competent NFL signal-caller.
Buffalo clearly needs to come out of this draft with a quarterback, but if they like a less-heralded one than the top few (Luck, Mallett, Newton, Locker, Gabbert) or one of them falls into round two or three, they might be able to go defense in the first round and then quarterback later on.
.png?w=256)
4. Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 34
Marvin Lewis has a tough decision to make.
Carson Palmer looks all but done, and they will be able to release him without any financial troubles if they decide to move on.
I think they should, but it’s questionable whether Lewis and Bengals management agrees or not.
Cincinnati might end up being stubborn and sticking with the former Heisman-winner and Pro Bowl quarterback and opt to target a linebacker in Round one.
But even if they do stick with Palmer, they’ll need to pick a quarterback later because Jordan Palmer isn’t exactly great insurance for his brother.
To sum up: If the Bengals are stubborn, they’ll likely target a linebacker/offensive lineman in the first two rounds and pick a quarterback late.
If they’re smart, they’ll go quarterback/o-line/linebacker in rounds one to three (not necessarily in that order).
5. Arizona Cardinals
5 of 34
Another team with a tough decision at quarterback.
John Skelton is oozing tools and didn’t look nearly as overmatched as you’d think a rookie from Fordham would be.
If the Cardinals think he’s the answer, they should look to address the offensive line and front seven early on.
But if they’re not convinced, they should look quarterback in round two or three.
I can’t see them spending a first-rounder on a quarterback, though, with Skelton in town and a lot of holes to fill. Also, I’m sure they’ll be weary of a repeat of the Matt Leinart debacle.
6. Cleveland Browns
6 of 34
I’m not convinced Colt McCoy is the answer.
But with a decent defense and a solid running game in place, it might be smart to at least give him one full year of starting experience before I write him off.
If I’m Mike Holmgren, I’m targeting an explosive wide receiver in the first round (e.g. A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Justin Blackmon), then looking to address the defense in the early-middle rounds.
I’d also look for an underrated speed back in the later rounds to steal a few carries a game and complement Peyton Hillis.
But if Holmgren loves a guy like Newton or Mallett at No. 6, I wouldn’t blame him for taking the leap. I just don’t see it happening.
7. San Francisco 49ers
7 of 34
Yet again, this will depend on what the new coach (Jim Harbaugh?) thinks of Alex Smith. Likely, it won’t be positive.
With a new coach in town, I won’t be surprised to see an early quarterback pick. But if Harbaugh (or whoever) gets fooled by Smith’s tools and athleticism (it wouldn’t be the first time), then the Niners might opt to stick with him.
Outside of quarterback, the team could use offensive line help, a reliable number two receiver, talent on defense, and more explosiveness at running back.
Everyone likes to talk up the 49ers talent, but in reality, they have an average defense, an exceptional tight end, a mercurial wide receiver and a keyed upon, injury-prone running back.
8. Tennessee Titans
8 of 34
Either Jeff Fisher or Vince Young needs to go. Or both.
If Young goes, quarterback becomes easily the most glaring need. But if Fisher is still there, he’d probably rather target one via trade than spend an early-round pick on an unproven passer.
If Young stays, the Titans need to focus on infusing some youth into their pass-rush and upgrading their secondary.
And they also desperately need receiving help behind Kenny Britt. Help that doesn’t come in the form of a washed-up future Hall-of-Famer who can’t be bothered to show up on Sundays.
9. Dallas Cowboys
9 of 34
Finally, a team that need not think about drafting a quarterback.
The Cowboys’ top priority should be on the offensive line, but with no one worthy of the No. 9 pick, they should target one of the many outstanding defensive linemen, or one of the two elite cornerbacks (Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara) and in this year’s crop.
Then in round two, upgrade the o-line.
After that?
More o-line, defense, defense, and some more defense.
10. Washington Redskins
10 of 34
The Redskins have needs everywhere.
But Santana Moss is aging and needs help, and while Anthony Armstrong is good, the Redskins need a dominating receiver in the mold of A.J. Green or Julio Jones. That has to be their first pick.
After that, they need to upgrade the secondary and figure out what they’re doing at quarterback (Rex Grossman, really?).
11. Houston Texans
11 of 34
Don’t touch the offense, overhaul the defense.
The Texans need talent everywhere on defense and should address that side of the ball with nearly every pick.
As for the first round, a pass-rushing defensive end or linebacker to help out Mario Williams would be the top priority. Then cornerback.
12. Minnesota Vikings
12 of 34
Ah, back to a team with quarterback issues.
With Brett Favre not returning (crossing my fingers…), the Vikings need to decide if they’re going to hand Joe Webb the keys to their young, talent-laden offense or if they will target a guy like Donovan McNabb/Kevin Kolb in a trade.
The latter is the more likely route, and the Vikings will have to focus on upgrading the defense for a potential playoff run.
The secondary is the area in need of the most help, although their once-vaunted front seven dropped off considerably this year.
Defense is the main need here.
13. Detroit Lions
13 of 34
The Lions are in surprisingly decent shape for a 6-10 team.
They absolutely need a cornerback, but unfortunately for them, their late-season surge may keep them from grabbing Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara. If I’m Detroit, I’m doing whatever it takes to trade up and nab one of those two guys.
If that doesn’t happen, cornerback is still the most pressing need, but the Lions would likely look at an offensive linemen or the best player left on the board.
Later in the draft, Detroit should look for a receiver and running back to add to their talented, but shallow corps.
14. St. Louis Rams
14 of 34
The Rams need to get Sam Bradford some help.
Hepefully, Mark Clayton will return and contribute next year, but even if he does, the likes of Brandon Gibson, Laurent Robinson and Danario Alexander haven’t delivered on their promise.
Alexander seems like a decent bet to improve in his second season after major injury, but no receiver on this team is anything close to a safe bet.
St. Louis needs to pick the best receiver on the board in Round One, likely someone like Justin Blackmon.
After that, they should look to upgrade the offensive line and protect their investment in Bradford.
A backup to Steven Jackson would also be a smart idea later on.
15. Miami Dolphins
15 of 34
Miami doesn’t need to tinker a whole lot on defense, but they need help everywhere on offense.
Chad Henne has the talent to succeed, but the new coach will have to decide if he’s their guy after his disastrous end to 2010.
Running back is also an issue with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams likely both departing, but it’s not normally smart to go tailback in round one.
Look for either a quarterback or offensive lineman in the first, with a running back in round two or three.
And despite having a bevy of solid No. 3 receivers, the Dolphins could use a bonafide No. 2 behind Brandon Marshall.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
16 of 34
David Garrard seems like he’s quited the doubters for now, so Jacksonville can finally stop thinking about drafting their quarterback of the future.
The Jags need to go defense in round one and for most of the draft. They have holes everywhere.
And on offense, wide receiver is the main need. With no quality options outside of the oft-injured Mike Sims-Walker and the solid, but unspectacular Mike Thomas, they should pick a wide receiver in the early-middle rounds.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland)
17 of 34
The Patriots are the best team in the NFL right now, but they still have some needs (more like wants), especially on defense.
Nabbing a pass-rusher should be their number one priority, followed by help at safety or cornerback.
On offense, they could use a replacement for Logan Mankins (if he leaves) and (another) playmaker at running back or receiver.
18. San Diego Chargers
18 of 34
San Diego has talent on both sides of the ball; it really just neeeds some luck, football IQ and adequate special teams play.
But as for their first-rounder, the Chargers should look for a pass-rushing threat to inherit Shawne Merriman's former role.
Later on, they should look to solidify the offensive line.
19. New York Giants
19 of 34
The Giants biggest need at the end of the season was at wide receiver, but fortunately for them, that was only a problem due to injury.
They're solid at the skill positions on offense and on the defensive line.
New York should target an offensive lineman in the first, then look to upgrade their solid secondary, since they don't have a whole lot of pressing needs.
Grabbing a depth receiver in the middle rounds would also be smart as insurance.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20 of 34
The Bucs biggest needs, in order of priority:
1. Pass-rushing help
2. Ronde Barber's successor at cornerback
3. A running back with speed
The Playoff Teams
21 of 34
The rest of the teams are in the playoffs, so their draft slots aren't set.
I'll go by records for convenience.
21. Seattle Seahawks
22 of 34
Unless Charlie Whitehurst starts and shows something special in the playoffs, a successor/replacement for Matt Hasselbeck is the most glaring need.
Jake Locker is a possibility in the first or second round.
Also, Seattle needs help on the offensive line desperately and could use a playmaker at running back and receiver.
Not to mention their holes on defense...
22. Kansas City Chiefs
23 of 34
The Chiefs need a receiver to help take the pressure off Dwayne Bowe.
Michael Floyd will likely be the best available at this point, but he is sort of a poor-man's Bowe and might not be a great complement.
They should look for more of a quicker, explosive pass-catcher.
After that, they should look for help on defense and in the later rounds, potentially a replacement for Thomas Jones.
23. Indianapolis Colts
24 of 34
The Colts' biggest needs are on defense, especially on the interior defensive line.
After that, they should look to solidify their secondary and possibly add a receiver to their deep, but brittle and untested crew.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 34
The Eagles offensive line has played well, but if Michael Vick is going to be their quarterback, they'd better make sure it's exceptional and can keep him well-protected.
Offensive line would be the smart first-round choice, and after that, they could use some help on the front seven on defense.
26. New Orleans Saints
26 of 34
The Saints are pretty much set on offense, with the exception of offensive line; it wouldn't hurt to add some more talent there.
On defense, the most pressing need would have to be a pass-rusher.
25. Green Bay Packers
27 of 34
The Packers need a running back, badly (especially if Ryan Grant doesn't return to form).
Other than that, offensive line should be the main focus.
27. Chicago Bears
28 of 34
The Bears' number one need has to be on the offensive line.
After that, they could use a reliable receiver and a complementary running back.
28. New York Jets
29 of 34
The Jets desperately need a pass-rusher; their inability to get to the quarterback has turned a team with arguably the best cornerback tandem into a middling pass-defense.
Other than that, it will come down to who leaves in the offseason.
They'll likely need a receiver, running back and cornerback, with Santonio Holmes, Brad Smith, Braylon Edwards, LaDanian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie all questionable to return.
29. Baltimore Ravens
30 of 34
The Ravens' most pressing need is at cornerback.
After that, they'll need to draft a receiver with Derrick Mason on the decline and T.J. Houshmanzadeh not doing much.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
31 of 34
Ben Roethlisberger is as tough as they come, but the Steelers really need to get him some help by upgrading the offensive line.
They can't look any other direction in round one.
31. Atlanta Falcons
32 of 34
Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson have been receiving a lot of praise, but the Falcons are 22nd in pass defense, their only notable weakness.
Not that Grimes and Robinson need to go, but the Falcons should draft someone to help them out.
32. New England Patriots
33 of 34
See Slide 17.
Thank you, Al Davis. The rich just keep getting richer.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud
No First-Rounder: Oakland Raiders
34 of 34
The Raiders need to look for offensive line help, boost their wide receiving corps and address the quarterback position.
Too bad they don't have a first-rounder to help.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Browns Football")
