NFL Draft 2011: Playoff Teams Biggest Needs
Now that the Super Bowl is over and the offseason is upon us, it is time to turn our attention to April's NFL Draft.
Most of the buzz surrounding the draft starts at the top. Who will Carolina take with the first overall pick? How will the rest of the top 10 take shape? Where will high profile players such as Auburn's Cam Newton or Georgia's A.J. Green end up?
Teams such as the Panthers, Broncos and Bills will be focused on drafting the player they feel has the most talent instead of trying to pinpoint one position. Let's face it, these teams are drafting at the top for a reason. Their rosters are filled with holes and questions marks, meaning they can't really go wrong with any pick they make regardless of which player and position they draft.
However, this isn't the case for every team.
The second half of the draft order is filled with teams, mostly playoff teams, who could be just one or two pieces away from not only getting back to the playoffs, but advancing to the Super Bowl. Such teams will be trying to use the draft to fill specific needs and positions on their rosters, finding the right player to fit their system.
The following is a list of every playoff team from this past season and their needs that they will be looking at come draft day.
New Orleans Saints
1 of 12
The Saints ended the 2010 campaign at 11-5 before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round in shocking fashion.
Offensively, the Saints are as explosive as any team in the league. With quarterback Drew Brees healthy, this offense shouldn't miss a beat in 2011.
Still, they could use an upgrade at running back. Pierre Thomas is a free agent and will likely be playing elsewhere next season. Reggie Bush is really only an option to be a third-down back, and also hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy over the course of a full season. Chris Ivory did show some potential, but the Saints don't view him as their long-term solution at tailback.
Defensively, the Saints will look to get a little younger in their front seven. With linebacker Scott Shanle a free agent, the team could look to find his replacement early in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts
2 of 12
The Colts finished the season at 10-6, which was impressive considering the amount of injuries the team had to deal with throughout the year.
Simply getting healthy will make this team a Super Bowl favorite once again.
The one injury the Colts would never be able to overcome would be to quarterback Peyton Manning. So they would be wise to use their first pick on an offensive lineman, especially since offensive tackle Charlie Johnson is a free agent.
Defensively, the Colts must come to terms with the fact that safety Bob Sanders will likely never be an impact player for them again. They need to find a replacement for him, as the secondary was an area of weakness for the Colts last season.
They could also use a defensive tackle to help stop the run. With Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, getting to the quarterback is never a problem. The problem for the Colts is usually stopping the run.
Kansas City Chiefs
3 of 12
The Chiefs surprised a lot of people when they went 10-6 on their way to winning the AFC West crown.
This team has a very young and talented nucleus that should keep them in contention for quite a while.
Dwayne Bowe finally fulfilled his potential and had the breakout season that many people thought he could. Still, he disappeared far too often, especially late in the season and in the playoffs when teams were rolling their coverages and sending double teams at him. Kansas City needs to find a second wide receiver to help take some attention off Bowe.
Tamba Hali is a free agent, but will likely return to Kansas City. Hali was one of the league's best pass rushers last season. Eric Berry had a very good rookie year, and will only improve at the safety position.
The Chiefs need to focus in the middle on their linebackers.
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Philadelphia Eagles
4 of 12
The Eagles don't have many, if any, holes on offense. With Michael Vick back running the show, this team will put up points in a hurry.
At times last season, however, Vick took his share of big hits. The offensive line struggled to protect their quarterback, most notably tackle Winston Justice, who has been somewhat of a disappointment. The line is likely the first place the Eagles will look when it comes to address the offensive side of the ball in the draft.
The Eagles are set at cornerback, but could use a safety with Quintin Mikell becoming a free agent. They could also target a linebacker should the team feel like Stewart Bradley won't be fully healthy after recovering from an injury.
Overall, there aren't many glaring holes on this team, which is great news for Eagles fans.
Baltimore Ravens
5 of 12
The Ravens, who went 12-4 this past season, will once again be Super Bowl contenders heading into next year.
Offensively, this group is only getting better. The trio of quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Ray Rice and wide receiver Anquan Boldin are as good as any in the NFL. The offensive line is also very solid. The unit's biggest need is a second receiver to complement Boldin, as Derrick Mason and T.J. Housmandzadeh are at the tail end of their careers.
Defensively, the team needs to add another cornerback. Josh Wilson is a free agent and his return is uncertain, and the team doesn't have much depth behind him.
The Ravens could also start searching for a potential replacement for safety Ed Reed later in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons
6 of 12
Similar to Dwayne Bowe and Anquan Boldin, wide receiver Roddy White could use some serious help.
The team has a good offensive line, very good running back in Michael Turner and an elite quarterback in Matt Ryan. Roddy White is one of, if not the best receivers in football, but he needs someone on the other side to take some pressure off him. Michael Jenkins best attribute is blocking, but they need someone who can stretch the field.
The Falcons defense improved considerably this past season, and has young talent at almost every position. Their biggest weakness is at safety, and will likely use one of their first few picks to sure the position up.
Overall, though, this is another team that doesn't have to many needs.
Seattle Seahawks
7 of 12
The Seahawks are the exception.
While many of these other teams are just a player or two away from contending for a championship, the Seahawks need a lot more work. The team was very fortunate to make the playoffs at 7-9, although they did beat then-defending champion New Orleans Saints in the wild card round.
Don't believe anything the Seahawks tell you: They need a quarterback. Bad. Matt Hasselbeck will likely be back with the team, but struggled with inconsistency and isn't exactly getting any younger. Charlie Whitehurst is also not the future at quarterback.
Defensively, the Seahawks could use help all over the field. Cornerback Marcus Trufant's play is declining, while fellow cornerback Kelly Jennings could leave via free agency. The team could also use a pass rusher.
Still, offensive skill positions should be the Seahawks first priority.
New England Patriots
8 of 12
The Patriots have had one of the best offensive line's in the NFL for quite some time now, but age will likely become a factor soon. While the position hasn't become a glaring hole, they will likely use some of their many picks on getting younger up front.
The defense had some problems this past season stopping people. Just ask Bart Scott.
The secondary is very young and talented, led by last year's first-round pick Devin McCourty.
However, the team could use help at both outside linebacker and defensive end. They must improve at getting to the quarterback.
Chicago Bears
9 of 12
Unfortunately for the Bears, they won't be able to draft some toughness for Jay Cutler.
So, the next best thing will be to address the issues on the offensive line.
Defensively, this team is very good. They have a great pass rusher in Julius Peppers as well as a great linebacker in Brian Urlacher. The secondary is also strong.
The first thing the Bears might look to do, however, is get a little younger at the line backer position. They could also use another pass rusher to complement Peppers.
New York Jets
10 of 12
The Jets went through stretches this past season where they just couldn't score. It was a surprise, given the type of offensive talent the team brought in last season.
Still, most of the focus on draft day will be on the defensive side of the ball.
The Jets desperately need a pass rusher, as they struggled to get to the quarterback. Veterans such as Jason Taylor will not be returning.
The cornerbacks are set, especially if the team re-signs Antonio Cromartie, but they still have a huge hole at both safety positions. Brodney Pool and Jim Leonhard aren't the answers.
The Jets have chosen to franchise linebacker David Harris, who has been the team's best tackler the past few seasons. However, they need to find an eventual replacement for Bart Scott, whose production is starting to decline.
Pittsburgh Steelers
11 of 12
Outside of center, the Steelers offensive line needs a lot of help. The team will likely target the position early in the draft.
On defense, both Ike Taylor and William Gay are free agents. The Steelers will need to add depth at the position in case both players leave for another team.
A less pressing need is a pass rusher, which they could add later in the draft.
Green Bay Packers
12 of 12
For the Super Bowl champions, the question is a little different.
What must they add to stay on top?
Ryan Grant will be coming off an injury, and may only spend one more year with the Packers. James Starks played well in his absence, but he may not be the long term answer at running back. The Packers could add another back at some point in this draft.
The receiving corps could also be a question. Donald Driver's career is winding down, and he has battled nagging injuries over the last few seasons. James Jones is a free agent, and when he is on the field, struggles to catch the ball. The Packers could use a receiver to pair with Greg Jennings for the future.
Defensively, their biggest need will be at defensive end, especially if Cullen Jenkins leaves via free agency.
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